Paratriathlon enjoyed a memorable debut on Copacabana during the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. Now, through British Triathlon’s Tri4Tokyo campaign, the search is on for the athletes who may have the potential to become medal winners themselves at the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
Triathlon contributed four medals to Paralympics GB’s tally this summer through Andy Lewis’ PT2 gold, Lauren Steadman’s PT4 silver; and a double medal in the PT5 category with Alison Patrick’s silver (guided by Hazel Smith) and Melissa Reid’s bronze (guided by Nicole Walters). These athletes, together with the majority of their teammates, are already back in training for Tokyo as British Triathlon begins the search for those to join them on the plane to Japan.
Alasdair Donaldson, British Triathlon Paralympic Talent and Development Manager, said “This summer showcased the extraordinary talent we have here in Great Britain when ParalympicsGB returned home with four paratriathlon medals in tow.
“I believe we have the potential to build on our success and am now looking forward to discovering Britain’s untapped talent through the Tri4Tokyo campaign as it unfolds over the next two years.”
Tri4Tokyo is looking for athletes who have the potential to have an impact on the medal table in Tokyo 2020, into the 2024 cycle and beyond. The first event of the campaign will take place in Loughborough on 4-5 February 2017.
Six paratriathlon categories were contested in Rio but British Triathlon is now looking for athletes across all male and female categories, with the anticipation that all categories will be contested in the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
British Triathlon will continue to run Paratriathlon Talent Identification events focused on Tokyo 2020 throughout the next two years with the aim of having the strongest team possible in the sport’s second Games. Any athlete interested in staring the journey is encouraged to do so as soon as they are able to as ‘the route to international success will take an increasingly long time as the sport continues to develop across the world’.
