Programmes

The week started with a morning Social Run in Sanxenxo, offering opportunities for open discussion and networking with no agenda.

The XXXIX World Triathlon Congress welcomed Dr Morten Schmidt, Global Director of Programmes and Grants, for a keynote on “Growing Women’s Participation in Sport” from the Laureus Sports For Good Foundation.

Growing Women's Sport. - This isn't just about participation; it's about creating a legacy, fostering empowerment, and building a future where every girl and woman has the opportunity to thrive through sport. | Dr Morten Schmidt, Laureus

The programme continued with a panel discussion about the Status and Perception of Female Triathlon Coaches. The session focused on the position of female coaches and the findings of the Women in Triathlon Status Study. It will provide an opportunity to discuss the current status of female coaches, the perceptions and barriers they face, and what National Federations can do to improve recruitment, development and retention.
The Panel included:

• Tarryn Godfrey - Sport for Development Researcher & Department Director, Brunei University of London,

• Dr Morten Schmidt - Global Director of Programmes and Grants, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation,

• Kate Murray - Chair, National Coaches Committee, World Triathlon,

• Alba Cuba Dorado - Full-time Assistant Professor, University of Vigo, Dan Atkins - Triathlon Coach Advisor, AUSTriathlon,

• Istvan Jankov - Coach Education Manager, World Triathlon

The TRI Member Services and Development Meeting also dedicated time to share further findings of the Female Coaches in Triathlon Status Study 2026 Update.

The SheLovesTri week concluded with the Female Coaching Best Practices Workshop. The workshop gave National Federations and coaches an opportunity to share approaches that are working and consider how to apply them in different environments.
The Panel included:

• Eleanor Condon - Women in Sport Lead, EDI Lead and National Anti-Doping Officer, Triathlon Ireland,

• Debbie Clarke - Chair of the Board on the Female Coaching Best Practices Workshop, British Triathlon,

• Body Confident Coaching: A web-based program designed for coaches to create positive body image environments for athletes.

• Body Confident Athletes: An in-person program for girls aged 11 to 17, delivered by coaches, that helps them build body confidence. The initiative focuses on addressing body image concerns and promoting a positive relationship with one’s body, encouraging athletes to appreciate what their bodies can do rather than what they look like.

World Triathlon piloted the programme with three National Federations, British Triathlon, Triathlon Mexico and the Italian Triathlon Federation, between 2024 and 2025. Italy has achieved outstanding results implementing it for their next generation of coaches and athletes. As part of our renewed partnership with Laureus, Triathlon Belgium and Triathlon New Zealand will be the next members to implement the programme, with a meaningful impact anticipated for young girls.

In parallel with the roll-out among members, World Triathlon Development has made Body Confident Coaching mandatory for TRI-certified coaches, and Body Confident Athletes education has become part of our development camps worldwide.

As part of the partnership between Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and World Triathlon, the BCS content will be available on the World Triathlon Education & Knowledge Hub from October 2026. For more details, contact us at development@triathlon.org.

The WISH leadership programme has been developed to target support for Recommendation 6 from the IOC Gender Equality Review Report (March 2018), which states, as an action, to encourage:

Balanced gender representation for coaches selected to participate at the Games. Specifically, the working group recommends that “the IOC coordinates the development of an action plan in collaboration with Olympic Movement stakeholders for more women to be eligible and selected to participate at the Olympic Games level. It is also recommended that a baseline for female entourage members at the Olympic Games is established.

The WISH leadership programme was created to support the IOC Gender Equality objective 15, which aims to increase the representation of women coaches at World Championships and the Olympic Games, where women constitute up to only 13% of coaches.

Between 2019 and 2021, a cohort of 26 women from six sports and 23 nations undertook a pilot women’s high-performance coach programme supported by the IOC/Olympic Solidarity. The six International Federations involved were Cycling, Rowing, Rugby, Tennis, Triathlon and Wrestling and were already engaged in projects to increase opportunities and pathways for high-performance women coaches.

Key objectives of the programme:

1. Further develop sport-specific skills, knowledge and experience - supporting identification of your sport-specific needs and develop plans to address these to enhance your potential for success

2. Further develop leadership competencies or behaviours - consolidate your own leadership style and empower you to be who you want to be and navigate the challenges that are part of coaching at a High-Performance level

3. Develop confidence - encouraging you to identify strengths, pursue goals, take opportunities and progress your career path. You will be able to champion yourself and others going forward

2020: Kate Murray (RSA), Ljudmila Medan (SRB), Najla Aljeraiwi (KUW), Pamela Fulton (ZIM), Pooja Chaurushi (IND)

2022: Carolina Mora (CRC), Tine Deckers (BEL), Eleanor Cordon (IRL), Özenç Aygün (TUR)

2023: Lini Kazim (MAS)

2026: Adele de la Rey (NAM) - only started