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.

We begin the series with Zita Csovelyak, Head of World Triathlon Member Services and Development, whose work helps build pathways, opportunities and stronger systems for triathlon communities across the globe.

How does World Triathlon Development and the work you deliver help create more opportunities for women and girls worldwide?
In 1989, World Triathlon was founded on strong gender equity principles under the leadership of its first President, Les McDonald. From the very beginning, the vision of equal conditions and opportunities for women and men became part of the organisation’s DNA.

Today, while those founding principles remain firmly in place, the evolving internal and external sport environment requires more targeted, proactive and innovative approaches. Building a truly sustainable ecosystem means ensuring that women’s and girls’ participation is not only equal in principle, but also safe, inclusive, recognised, valued and actively supported at every level of the sport.

What are the biggest barriers to participation you see globally?
Financial barriers remain one of the most significant challenges, alongside cultural and social norms that can limit participation in certain regions.

Time constraints and balancing sport with work, family and daily responsibilities also continue to affect women’s ability to participate. Addressing these barriers requires thoughtful and collaborative approaches across federations, communities and development programmes.

Can you share an initiative that has empowered women through triathlon?
There are several initiatives that contribute to empowering women across our sport.

One example is the Mixed Relay format, where the order of team members alternates every Olympic cycle between men and women (M-W-M-W and W-M-W-M). This reinforces the equal importance of both genders within one of triathlon’s most exciting Olympic formats.

Another milestone came at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where World Triathlon was one of only five International Federations to achieve full gender equity within its Technical Officials team. This was the result of a long-term and systematic approach built on structured education and certification programmes, targeted mentorship, transparent assessment processes and leadership development pathways.

Through the Team World Triathlon initiative, the organisation has also implemented a targeted approach to strengthen female athletes’ Olympic pathways. This includes individualised performance planning, coach and athlete education, access to expert services and tailored competition opportunities aligned with Olympic qualification demands.

Looking ahead, continued strategic focus on female coaching development will also be an important next step in strengthening opportunities across the sport.

What gives you hope for the future of women in sport?
The women and girls themselves, leading by example every single day.

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, driven by World Triathlon and the World Triathlon Women's Committee, we will continue to spotlight the women whose contributions are helping create a more inclusive, supportive and equitable future for triathlon worldwide.