On 8 March 2016, International Women’s Day, ITU announced that female participation increased from 33% to 35% last year among its age group and elite athletes. ITU added that it ‘would also like to congratulate those National Federations (NFs) that boast higher-than-average female race entries, which includes a list of more than 50 NFs.’
Bermuda is a prime example of a National Federation spearheading the path for female participation in triathlon with 59% of its entrants at ITU-sanctioned races coming from women. Bermuda is joined by Guatemala, Poland, Canada and the US as top NFs that enjoy significant presence from women on ITU start lists.
ITU added, ‘Although those are great numbers of which we are extremely proud, there is still room to improvement, and ITU is working with many countries to promote women in our sport by organizing development camps and education opportunities.’
An ITU spokesperson continued, ‘But is not only a matter of gender balance in our athletes. Equal opportunities for men and women are part of triathlon’s DNA, as well as a part of ITU’s constitution. We have one of the very few sports in which, since the very beginning, men and women compete in the same distances and for equal prize money.’
ITU’s Officers are made up of 60% women, with the ITU President, Secretary General and First Vice President all women. Additionally, the ITU Executive Board is nearly half women.
Currently there are more than 10 National Federations that have a female as President. That means that women are taking steps forward to have access to important and international management positions within the sporting world. ITU also boasts equal representation in the Athletes Committee, and more and more women are taking the step forward to participate in technical official courses or coaching courses.
ITU adds that it is committed to growing the presence of female athletes, especially in the countries where women don’t have easy ways to have access to facilities, coaches, scholarships, etc.
‘Having balanced female leadership continues to serve us well within the Olympic Movement. As women will continue to take the lead in their respective tasks and organizations, the female presence in all aspects of our sport will increase in the upcoming years.’
