Running searches for next Simon
Whitfield still going strong at 37, but replacement cupboard is bare
Even at age 37, it sometimes seems Canadian triathlete Simon Whitfield will go on forever.
An Olympic gold medallist in 2000 and a silver medallist in 2008, Whitfield is headed to his fourth Olympics this summer in London and he firmly believes he can defy Father Time by contending for a medal.
But the fact is, he’s not a swimmingcycling- running Methuselah, which is why Triathlon Canada is launching a talent identification and recruitment program dubbed ‘ Tri This’ to hopefully find “Canada’s next great triathlete.”
While there are some young athletes in the system, particularly among females, the federation believes it can find some more mature swimmers or runners that can transition quickly into an elite level triathlete.
“We have a great pipeline on the girls’ side, but on the guys’ side we’re a little dry,” says Allan Trivett, Triathlon Canada’s executive director. ”
He said the federation wants to work collaboratively with Athletics Canada and Swim Canada and is developing a financial incentive — “a finder’s fee; we haven’t settled on a number but maybe $ 2,000 to $ 3,000” — to a club coach in one of those sports who sends a strong candidate the federation’s way. We’re looking for athletes who might want to extend their career, swimmers who maybe aren’t quite making it to the top in their sport, but who have put in all those years of training and, if they have any sort of run skills at all, can transfer that talent into our program.”
The plan is to have “talent days” in every province where athletes can come out and do a swim set and a run and be assessed by a triathlon team. “We’ll have a grid set up and whether you’re a great swimmer and a good runner or a great runner and a good swimmer and where you fall within that grid will determine what kind of support we can provide.”
But what about good cyclists potentially transitioning to triathlon?
“Without being derogatory to cyclists, we think we can teach [ swimmers and runners] how to ride the bike,” said Trivett. “It’s easier to teach them that skill set than it is to teach someone raw how to swim or someone who doesn’t have the legs to run.”
Similar recruitment initiatives are underway in other countries. Triathlon Canada noted that American Gwen Jorgenson has qualified for London just two years after the collegiate swimmer and runner was recruited into a triathlon development program.
Given Whitfield’s success and profile, Trivett was asked why there hasn’t been more elite level male triathletes developed in Canada.
“This is one of those politically sensitive type of comments, but it’s a little easier to get to the elite level on the women’s side. There’s incredible depth on the guys’ side and it’s really hard to make the jump from junior boys to under- 23 men to the senior level. And the financial support is not easy to come by.
“Simon is really bigger than the sport in Canada. He’s iconic, but that hasn’t translated into the next Simon.”
Athletes interested in pursuing the identification and recruitment program are asked to visit www. triathloncanada. com and fill out the ‘ Tri This’ application. Trivett said the program will be given “more of a splash” at the ITU Triathlon World Cup in Edmonton July 6- 8.