Aiming to further professionalize the sport of paratriathlon, USA Triathlon has announced that each member of the 2022 Toyota US Elite Paratriathlon National Team will receive direct athlete support stipends equal to that of the funding the athletes on the 2022 US Elite National Team receive.
In addition, in partnership with Toyota and the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), a professional prize purse of US$36,750 will be offered for athletes who medal at the 2022 Toyota USA US$36,750.
USA Triathlon has announced the five events that will make up the 2022 Paratriathlon Development Race Series, a set of races for emerging paratriathletes who aspire to compete at a future Paralympic Games.
Participants will be able to gain experience racing at the national level, and strong performances will earn consideration for the Toyota US Paratriathlon Development Team and allow athletes to earn elite paratriathlon licenses.
“USA Triathlon, along with our partners at Toyota and CAF, continue to set the bar for professionalizing paratriathlon,” said Amanda Duke Boulet, USA Triathlon Paralympic Program Director.
“Competing at the elite level in paratriathlon is a big financial commitment. Athletes are paying for equipment, travel, coaching, sports medicine, prosthetics and more. We are proud to offer equal funding for our Elite Paratriathlon National Team and a prize purse at Paratriathlon Nationals will help provide increased exposure and promotion for US athletes.”
She continued, “We’re also proud to work with leading paratriathlon race directors, coaches and clubs to host these races and clinics as part of the 2022 Paratriathlon Development Race Series. We look forward to connecting with new paratriathletes and identifying the next Paralympians.”
USA Triathlon’s Exclusive Mobility & Automotive Partner, Toyota serves as the title partner of the Toyota US Elite Paratriathlon National Team and for the Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships.
Toyota also continues to support the Toyota US Paratriathlon Resident Team, now in its fifth year at the US Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
“Toyota is excited to once again partner with USA Triathlon and Challenged Athletes Foundation to award a prize purse for medallists at the 2022 Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships,” said Dedra DeLilli, Group Manager, Sponsorship Strategy, Integration & Activation at Toyota Motor North America.
“The participants competing in this championship have worked hard to reach their goal of becoming elite athletes, and with Toyota’s commitment to inclusivity through mobility, we feel it’s vital that these athletes are recognized for their accomplishments.”
Bob Babbitt, CAF Co-Founder, said “Sports are the platform for people to live their best life; and CAF is committed to providing access and opportunities in athletics.
“Our strong partnership with USA Triathlon and Toyota will allow athletes to get the support and recognition they deserve to further grow the sport of paratriathlon.”
2022 Paratriathlon Development Race Series
The 2022 Paratriathlon Development Race Series is a set of races for emerging paratriathletes who aspire to compete at a future Paralympic Games.
The series begins with the Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Triathlon on April 10, in Cocoa Beach, Florida, followed by the Sylvan Beach Triathlon on May 15, in La Porte, Texas.
The third stop of the series is Leon’s Triathlon on June 5, in Hammond, Indiana. Leon’s Triathlon also serves as the USA Triathlon Military and First Responders National Championships, which features specific award categories for Paratriathlon Military and Paratriathlon First Responders.
The fourth race in the series will be held on June 26 at the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. The series then culminates with the Toyota USA Paratriathlon National Championships, set for July 17, as part of the Toyota Legacy Triathlon in Long Beach, California.
All races will be sprint-distance, covering a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. No qualification is required for the first four races of the series, but athletes must have a USA Triathlon membership and be classified in a paratriathlon sport class, or have been given a provisional classification.
At the five series events, USA Triathlon will host beginner paratriathlon clinics on the Saturday before race day. Open to all paratriathletes who are registered to race, the clinics will cover introductory training, racing and transition tips, as well as an overview of USA Triathlon’s paratriathlon pipeline.
www.usatriathlon.org
www.challengedathletes.org
