The Diversity Project

As you walk into any transition area, you’re hardly likely to think that triathlon participants represent the diverse society Canada prides itself on. We take a critical look at the many issues around diversity in triathlon in this extensive feature.

The question of diversity in triathlon is, well, a diverse one. Are we talking about gender diversity? Access for athletes with disabilities? Racial diversity? How about “yes to all”? And, in all reality, yes to any more issues that we haven’t covered.

This “Diversity Project” is a first go at a response to Tenchi So’s question (Editorial, p.3) on what I planned to do to “better promote and feature” racial minorities in this magazine. It goes a few steps further, though, in hopes that we can look at other aspects of diversity that affect the sport.

Rather than provide many solutions and answers, the first section of this feature takes a look at the issues around racial diversity in triathlon. The second section provides an update on gender equality in the sport. The third section celebrates the people who make it possible for a blind athlete to compete in multisport racing, a shout-out to the amazing paratriathletes who bring so much to our sport, too.

I hope that this is just a beginning. That my “Diversity Project” becomes a simple reminder that in every issue of Triathlon Magazine Canada we should be doing what we can to “promote and feature” athletes like Tenchi So to ensure everyone feels welcome in the world of triathlon – as athletes and as readers of this magazine.