The International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP) celebrated the graduation of its XVI class during a ceremony held on 22 April at the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. A joint initiative of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the University of Delaware and Olympic Solidarity — a department of the International Olympic Committee — the ICECP programme is designed to equip national-level coaches with advanced coaching knowledge, leadership skills, and the latest performance methodologies. The programme aims to support the long-term development of sport within participating nations.
In 2026, a total of 36 coaches representing 36 countries and 17 sports completed the programme. Among the graduates were triathlon coaches Adele De la Rey (NAM) and Marian Borsinski (DEN). During their time in Lausanne, both coaches visited the World Triathlon headquarters, where they presented their development projects to Zita Csovelyak, Head of Member Services & Development. Their presentations demonstrated strong leadership, innovation, and a clear commitment to advancing triathlon within their respective national contexts.
Supporting Coaching Development in Namibia
Adele De la Rey’s project, the Namibia Triathlon Coach Development Project, addresses a key challenge in Namibia — the limited number of qualified coaches and the concentration of training opportunities in the capital, Windhoek.
The initiative focuses on establishing the country’s first regional triathlon coaching base in Northern Namibia, creating sustainable pathways for participation and development at community level. The programme includes the identification and training of new coaches through World Triathlon education courses, supported by mentorship, field-based learning, and practical community delivery. By combining online learning, virtual mentoring, and in-person application, the project provides a scalable model for expanding coaching capacity, strengthening standards, and increasing access to triathlon across the country. In the long term, it aims to build a nationwide coaching network and support athlete development beyond major urban centres.
Photo Credit: Christophe Moratal
Expanding the Talent Pathway in Denmark
Marian Borsinski’s project, Talent ID 32 – A Talent Transfer Pilot Project, is designed to strengthen the athlete pipeline in Denmark by identifying talent from other sports with transferable skills to triathlon.
While Denmark has consistently produced Olympic-level triathletes since 2000, the national talent pool remains relatively narrow. The project aims to broaden this base by recruiting athletes aged 16–25 from disciplines such as swimming, running, and gymnastics, and integrating them into a high-performance triathlon environment. Based in Aarhus, one of Denmark’s leading high-performance centres, the pilot programme applies evidence-based talent identification principles, with a focus on physical capability, long-term development potential, and gender equity. The initiative is intended to serve as a foundation for a nationwide talent transfer strategy, supporting sustainable athlete development and future international success.
Photo Credit: Christophe Moratal
Strengthening Global Coaching Capacity
World Triathlon congratulates both graduates on the successful completion of the ICECP programme and recognises the significance of their projects in strengthening coaching structures and athlete pathways.
Initiatives such as ICECP play an important role in supporting National Federations, building coaching expertise, and driving the continued global development of triathlon.