The 2025 World Triathlon Congress, held in Wollongong, Australia, on October 18, 2025, was part of the extensive schedule of the five-day 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals.
It was the first congress under World Triathlon President Antonio Arimany, who was elected in October 2024, and there were 112 national federation members represented either in-person or online.
Among the most significant points of order of the congress were the votes to approve two new disciplines… ‘Fitness Racing and Swimrun – under the World Triathlon umbrella.’
World Triathlon noted that Fitness Racing is the multi-sport competition format developed and pioneered by international fitness brand HYROX, and Swimrun adheres to the format of Swedish-originated ÖTILLÖ and its island-to-island racing experience.
A release from World Triathlon confirmed that… ‘Both were approved by the overwhelming majority of members and will see tri becoming a leader in these innovative sporting environments.’
What this actually means going forwards is currently unclear. At the time of writing, there has been no confirmation from either HYROX or ÖTILLÖ that they acknowledge a place under the umbrella of triathlon’s international governing body.
World Triathlon points to its partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and current cooperation with the T100 Triathlon World Tour.
It spotlights the PTO collaboration as an example of… ‘the desire to identify new opportunities ahead, work with private organisers and focus on becoming a more commercially driven organisation, ready and willing to engage with all stakeholders to drive the growth of triathlon and multisport disciplines around the world.’
It remains to be seen how World Triathlon will extend beyond its traditional triathlon wheelhouse, and how willing commercial event organisers in hybrid/fitness racing and swim run will be to cooperate.
At the World Triathlon Congress in Wollongong, Antonio Arimany opened proceedings by acknowledging both the achievements and challenges faced by the international governing body over the last 12 months, before introducing the organisation’s new Secretary General Jon Wyatt for his first congress with World Triathlon.
As World Triathlon President Arimany also… ’emphasised the importance of constructive dialogue between members, affirming the integrity of the recent elections, and reflected on the important votes made during the gathering in Wollongong.’
“We welcome feedback, but we must be constructive and contribute to the betterment of our sport,” Arimany said. “It is time to look ahead to the possibilities of the exciting new opportunities that we have been exploring over the past twelve months and to ensure we move forward as one.
“Our team has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months but as we all know, that work never stops. I am pleased to see the support of the overwhelming majority of members as we pursue these new avenues.
“The opportunities are there for us to become a global leader in new sporting areas, but their success depends on the strength of our visions and our unity to implement them. To have seen such positivity among our membership is encouraging, so now we must continue to deliver.”
Arimany also confirmed the names of the legal experts who have been assigned with independently reviewing World Triathlon’s Governance Rules and Regulations. Judge Jean Loup Chapelet and John Napier will be conducting this review for the organisation, while a national federation survey will seek to provide further guidance to members at a national level.
Secretary General Jon Wyatt presented the new 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, outlining a mission to lead the sustainable growth of the triathlon and multisport community, while also exploring new and innovative opportunities.
In addition, the World Triathlon Executive Board presented its annual report, and Financial Vice-President Shin Otsuka introduced the financial report, recommending greater investment into the growth of the sport. Jamie Gordon reported on behalf of the Audit, Risk and Integrity Committee.
World Triathlon Sport Director, Gergely Markus, presented a 2026 race calendar that welcomes new host cities, as well as kicking off the start of LA28 qualification. This 2026 calendar for World Triathlon’s marquee series, however, does not include a stop in the United States, the world’s largest triathlon market.
Formerly the World Triathlon Series and now known as the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS), the series has visited 19 countries since its founding in 2009. It last landed in the USA in 2015, when Chicago hosted the series grand final.
In 2025, the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) once again begins in Abu Dhabi (UAE), this time on the final weekend of March, before heading to the Uzbek city of Samarkand at the end of April.
From there, it is on to Yokohama (JPN) and a return to Alghero (ITA) before a new French WTCS course is unveiled in Quiberon in June. In July, WTCS Hamburg – recently confirmed as host of the 2027 World Triathlon Championship Finals – will again take place alongside the Mixed Relay World Championships, followed by the first WTCS race in London since 2015.
Leading into the Championship Finals will be Weihai (CHN) and Karlovy Vary (CZE), with the Grand Final returning to Pontevedra in the north of Spain in late September.
