:: Mark White Ironman ::


	p o s t . . . f u n d i n g


		Funding For Triathletes - Dave Bellingham , Director, British Triathlon Association
		THE excellent result of Mark White at the Hawaii Ironman (Mercury Oct 29) has raised the issue of funding for age group triathletes and duathletes. At elite level, there is significant funding for Olympic and Commonwealth athletes, and financial and other support for athletes just below that standard, especially younger ones. This is now the case for long distance triathletes and duathletes, although not at the same level. At Ironman distance, a male athlete going under nine hours, a female under 11 hours, is deemed to be in the elite category, and will be supported in someway. The sport has a successful age group competition domestically and internationally covering five year age bands from 20 up to 80! Fortunately there are some 500 British athletes who qualify for European and World Championships at short and long distance triathlon and duathlon each year, but those numbers make it impossible to offer any financial assistance. This is a small sport with a membership of under 10,000 and does not attract major sponsors even at elite level, and rely on ring fenced funding from Goverment bodies. However, British Triathlon is working on plans to bring in a sponsor for age groupers to assist in some way towards the significant achievements of these athletes. Watch this space. Dave Bellingham , Director, British Triathlon Association



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