Behind every great event…
Although she would never even consider the thought that the success of triathlon in Edmonton rested on her shoulders, anyone who has ever met and worked with Sheila O’Kelley would let you know that the driving force behind the event is the bundle of energy who has been lauded in the sport for over two decades.
It all started when her children got interested in the sport and she organized a Kids of Steel race in the 1980s. That race would morph into the St. Albert Triathlon, which hosted the national championships in 1996. She would put the bid in to host the world championships in 2001 and it has been a non-stop whirlwind of international races in the city ever since. This year the city will celebrate 20 years of hosting an international triathlon event.
How good is Sheila O’Kelley at what she does? Starting in 2005 she was tasked by the ITU for years to coordinate the ITU World Cup series and ensure that the races met the highest possible standards. For 2014 the ITU approached her just 17 months ahead of the worlds to see if her team could take the event on after San Diego pulled out.
Kelley moved to Edmonton from Ireland in 1978 and retains the beautiful Irish lilt in her accent. It was shortly after the family arrived that they caught the triathlon bug. Many of her enthusiastic support crew for the races in Edmonton have been with her at events since that first Kids of Steel race in the 80s.
Talk to her and she’ll make sure you know that the success of the events comes from her longstanding volunteer support, the support of the City of Edmonton and help from both the province and the government of Canada. She’ll tell you how supportive Triathlon Canada has been, too.
She’ll also tell you how invaluable Stephen Bourdeau has become as the general manager of the Edmoton event.
All true, no doubt, but all of us in the triathlon community owe a huge thanks to Sheila O’Kelley, without who we wouldn’t be celebrating another worlds next year.