Search
shop

Joe Skipper shares story of ‘threat’ to his pro racing licence in 2024

Professional triathlete Joe Skipper on being asked to pay his entry fees for the World Long Course Championship in Ibiza.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Having represented his nation earlier this year at the World Championship, pro triathlete Joe Skipper says he has now been asked by British Triathlon to pay his entry fee.

Back in May, Skipper raced for Team GB at the World Long Course Championship in Ibiza, where on a tough day out, he finished in 22nd and was the second British athlete across the line.

Now, six months down the line, Skipper shared on the Triathlon Mockery podcast that he’s been asked to pay his dues, suggesting the governing body are threatening to prevent him from getting his pro licence if he doesn’t.

Advertisement

Can you imagine Roger Federer paying to play Wimbledon?

Explaining the situation he says he now finds himself in to the astonishment of co-host Tom Oosterdijk, Skipper claimed that in no other professional sport would this happen.

“I’ve got British Triathlon hounding me, telling me I owe them £243 for an entry fee to flipping Ibiza, the race I did at Long Course Worlds. “I’m just like, how flipping tight are you guys? You’ve got an elite team, you send elite athletes to race and then you get them to pay their own entry.

“What elite sport in the world sends their athletes to a race and expects them to pay their own entry. Can you imagine Roger Federer turning up to Wimbledon and he’s told he has to pay £240 for his entry to play on Centre Court.”

Skipper went on to criticise the amount of funding that he believes British Triathlon trickle back down to the professional side of the sport and claimed the governing body are threatening to stop him from getting a race licence if he doesn’t pay up for Ibiza.

“I’ve even heard that some of elite team, the short course Olympic team, have to buy their own trisuit to go and compete for Team GB. The only reason they [British Triathlon] get any funding is because they’re supposed to be paying for athletes to get good results.

“They’re meant to encourage people to do the sport and get more people into the grassroots side of things, that’s the only reason they get money in the first place. Yet the athletes get bugger all. They’re saying I am not getting my pro licence if I don’t pay it. If I want to race under a British Triathlon licence, I have to pay the fee.”

British Triathlon confirm loss of pro status possibility

Having reached out to British Triathlon, the governing body said that whilst threatening to take away Skipper’s licence isn’t something they would do, the British long distance star could lose his pro status if outstanding fees aren’t paid.

They told us: “We are not able to comment on fees owed by individual athletes, however all athletes are made aware before they compete of any race fees they will need to pay. If these are not paid, we do follow up with the athlete and allow them time to pay any debt. 

“We would not threaten to remove pro status but would advise an athlete that this is a possibility if outstanding fees aren’t paid. We will always keep dialogue open with athletes and offer them every opportunity to maintain pro status.”

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
Marjolaine Pierre World Long Distance Triathlon win 2025
World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships 2025 results: Pierre and Benito add second wins
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
Magnus Ditlev run Challenge Roth 2024 Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth
Crazy scenes as Magnus Ditlev is shown a red card but runs on at IRONMAN Frankfurt
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...