Pete de Wet, the CEO of Triathlon New Zealand (Tri NZ), has been elected as the new president of Oceania Triathlon, succeeding Michelle Cooper from Australia. His election marks a significant step for de Wet, who now becomes a member of the Executive Board of World Triathlon, as all other Continental presidents.

The elections took place during the Oceania Congress held virtually on Saturday. As part of the confederation's new leadership structure, de Wet will lead a revamped five-member board that also includes Vice President Lani Wendt Young (Samoa), Tri NZ President Natalie Smith, Australian representative Tim Harradine, and Athlete Representative Manami Iijima (Guam).

“I want to send our congratulations to Pete on his appointment as the new President of Oceania Triathlon,” said World Triathlon elected President, Antonio F. Arimany. “We look forward to working with him and his team to advance the sport in the region, following the inspiring example set by Manami Iijima from Guam, the first athlete from Oceania, other than those from Australia or New Zealand, to qualify for the Olympic Games.”

De Wet expressed his gratitude following the vote: “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Oceania Triathlon Board, and want to thank the national federations across the region for their support. We have a very strong board, and I am looking forward to working with them, and the wider region, to continue to advance our sport across the South Pacific.”

The newly formed board brings together experienced leaders from across the region:

• Lani Wendt Young serves as Secretary General of Tri Sports Samoa,

• Tim Harradine is the CEO of AusTriathlon,

• Manami Iijima, who made history as the first woman from Guam to compete in triathlon at the Paris Olympic Games, serves as the Athlete Representative.

This leadership change represents a renewed commitment to strengthening the growth and development of triathlon across Oceania, with an emphasis on collaboration and advancing the sport in the South Pacific region.