Search
shop

“I wouldn’t have chosen to leave at this particular moment” – Joel Filliol shares the details on Tri Australia split

Joel Filliol on Triathlon Australia, Paris 2024 and plans moving forward.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Having worked with a number of different triathlon federations over a career spanning close to two decades, leading short course coach Joel Filliol is well versed in the rigamarole of internal politics that often comes with national governing body work.

However, after recently being removed from his post as the Olympic Program Head Coach for Triathlon Australia, even the Canadian seemed surprised with the decision, which came just over a year away from the Paris Olympic Games next summer.

Having endured an underwhelming Olympic campaign in Tokyo following the last cycle, this sudden restructuring within the high performance team at Tri Australia seems to be a high risk so close to the Games, with Filliol pointing out that those who stand to suffer the most are most likely to be the athletes.

Advertisement

“I was brought over to coach”

Having worked as the Olympic Performance Director for the Italian Triathlon Federation between the Rio and Tokyo Olympic Games, Filliol moved into his position with Tri Australia in the build up to Paris. After WTCS Sunderland in July, however, he was given the news that he would not be continuing with Tri Australia.

Triathlon Australia Pontoon
[Photo Credit – WAGC)

He told us: “I was brought over to coach, in basically a new training environment, but where the role finished was with me being the Olympic Head Coach. After Sunderland, I was notified that there would be some restructuring and sure enough it was me who was restructured.

“The timing was a bit strange and I really feel for the athletes impacted, as there were a number training within my group, and so it has had a negative impact on them, but it was a bit of an odd timing I suppose.

“Australia had a hard time in Tokyo and from that just entered a cycle of change. Over time, all the people who had brought me in were changed over and ultimately I was put in a position where I wasn’t doing a) what I wanted to be doing and b) what I was brought over for.”

Moving forward

Having now had to reconfigure what to do next, Filliol admits that he wouldn’t have chosen to finish his work in Australia at the particular moment had he been given the choice, but added that he is excited to have a more hands on approach with his privately coached athletes who form part of the JFT Crew in the lead up to Paris.

He said: “I wouldn’t have chosen to leave at this particular moment, it wasn’t my choice and I was committed to seeing things through to the end of the cycle, despite the difficulties.

“It was a challenging role, one that I was definitely up for, but if I am honest with myself what I enjoy the most is building relationships with the athletes and working with the squad that we have built since the London Olympics.

“When I received the news that I was moving on, it was natural that I would slot back in with what I had been doing and I am really proud of the group we have and the legacy is amazing. I am excited about the journey through to Paris and to be free with more bandwidth to help and support those guys.” 

Triathlon Australia were contacted for this article, but at the time of writing, were yet to comment on Filliol’s departure and the federation’s plans to move forward and regroup for the Paris Olympic Games.

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
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
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!)
latest News
Kat Matthews vs Laura Philipp
IRONMAN Hamburg pro women’s start list: Laura Philipp vs Kat Matthews in World Championship rematch
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders says he went to a “dark place” to fuel his latest IRONMAN win
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
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...