To celebrate International Women’s Day, World Triathlon is proud to recognise some of the incredible women who shape and strengthen our sport around the world.
Across this special series, we highlight women who embody the spirit of this year’s theme: Give to Gain. Through their leadership, mentorship and commitment to the global triathlon community, these women demonstrate that when we give our time, knowledge and support, we create opportunities for others to grow and thrive.
Because when we give, we gain. Together, we can help forge gender equality through abundant giving.
In this feature, we speak with Chelsea Burns, former athlete and host of the Chasing the Burn podcast. Through her work in sports media, Chelsea is helping tell the deeper stories behind triathlon’s athletes, bringing personality, honesty and perspective to conversations across the sport.
How did your experience as an athlete shape your voice in sports media?
My experience as an athlete allowed me to build strong relationships with competitors who became friends across the world.
Through those connections, I learned that the people behind these athletes are full of personality, stories and layers that I now work hard to present through conversations in media.
The underrepresentation of women in triathlon media and leadership that I witnessed as both an athlete and media contributor has definitely motivated me.
Why is it important to tell women’s sport stories authentically?
Because they deserve it.
There are plenty of opportunities to share stories for women in this sport, but I often see missed opportunities in how those stories are told.
My favourite podcast interviews are the ones where I finish a conversation seeing an athlete in a completely different light than when we started. I hope listeners can experience that same moment of discovery and appreciation for the person behind the performance.
What changes have you seen in visibility for female athletes?
There have been many positive changes since I started triathlon in 2013.
One important development was the introduction of ranking protection during pregnancy for World Triathlon athletes, which opened a door that previously did not exist.
I’m also excited to see how the T100 race series, with its division of races by gender, might help bring increased visibility to the women’s race this year.
How can the media inspire the next generation of women in sport?
Every year we are alive, media becomes more powerful.
Consuming genuine content is incredibly important to me, and I understand the responsibility that comes with having a platform.
The next generation deserves to hear authentic stories of the struggles behind their heroes, as well as their achievements.
This International Women’s Day, World Triathlon celebrates the women who continue to shape our sport through leadership, mentorship and action. Because when one woman gives, the entire community gains.
Across this series, led by World Triathlon and the World Triathlon Women’s Committee, we celebrate the women whose contributions continue to shape a more inclusive, supportive and equitable future for triathlon worldwide.
