Team World Triathlon is a global athlete support initiative created by World Triathlon Development to help athletes from emerging and developing National Federations progress toward elite international racing and Olympic qualification. More than simply a competition support programme, it is a long-term development pathway combining high-performance expertise, financial assistance, athlete monitoring, and strategic competition opportunities. The project focuses on athletes from NF Groups 2, 3B and 3A who have already demonstrated potential at the continental and international level but may not yet have access to the same support systems as athletes from more established triathlon nations. It aims to strengthen global competitiveness while creating genuine opportunities for athletes targeting the LA 2028 Olympic Games and Brisbane 2032.
At the centre of the project is the belief that talented athletes exist in every region of the world, and that with the right support, they can successfully transition from Continental Cup racing to consistent World Cup performance and Olympic qualification. The primary objective is to provide resources and expertise to athletes with the potential to compete at World Triathlon Cup level and qualify for the Olympic Games, while also supporting long-term athlete development, particularly for junior and U23 athletes transitioning into elite racing. The initiative also reflects World Triathlon’s broader priorities, including increasing global participation, strengthening continental representation, and improving gender equality. Female athlete participation is a key focus, with additional pathways such as New Flag opportunities and IOC Universality Places considered within selection.
A Global Development Vision
Rather than concentrating solely on established triathlon nations, Team World Triathlon seeks to build a more diverse and globally representative field by investing directly into athletes and federations with emerging high-performance potential. The programme targets athletes who are already competitive at the Continental Cup or World Cup level and committed to long-term Olympic qualification. Athletes must be born in 1998 or later, ranked inside the top 220 of the World Triathlon Rankings, and have achieved at least two top-66% finishes at Continental Cup events in the past 12 months. In addition, athletes must be registered and in good standing with their National Federation and demonstrate consistent international-level performance. Selection also considers continental balance, geographic representation, and gender equality.
A Multi-Year Olympic Pathway
Team World Triathlon is structured as a long-term development programme aligned to the Olympic qualification cycle. The 2025–2026 phase focuses on observation, athlete identification, and pre-selection as Olympic qualification begins in May 2026, with close monitoring of progression and consistency. In 2027, the programme expands to a larger pool of athletes demonstrating qualification potential, with increased racing opportunities and development support. By 2028, selection becomes highly performance-driven, focusing on athletes realistically positioned to qualify for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
Supporting the Olympic Qualification Journey
A key function of the programme is guiding athletes and National Federations through Olympic qualification pathways, including Olympic Ranking, New Flag opportunities, Continental pathways, and IOC Universality Places. To qualify via the Olympic Ranking system, athletes must accumulate 12 scoring results during the qualification period and reach a top 160 ranking position by May 2028, including at least four standard-distance results. This requires strategic race planning across Continental Cups, Continental Championships, Continental Games, World Cups, and World Triathlon Championship Series events, with Team World Triathlon assisting athletes in structuring optimal competition calendars.
Professional High-Performance Support
Selected athletes receive comprehensive onsite support aimed at removing financial and logistical barriers to international racing. This includes accommodation, meals, local transportation, training support, team management, physiotherapy, massage services, bike mechanic support, and training facility coordination where available. Athletes may also receive travel stipends covering up to 60 per cent of airfare costs, typically between USD 300 and USD 800 per event, increasing to USD 1,000 for Combo Events. Importantly, athletes are integrated into a team environment before, during, and after competition, creating opportunities for development within a professional high-performance setting.
The 2026 Team World Triathlon Events
The 2026 programme includes World Triathlon Cup events in Asunción, Rome, Tongyeong and San Pedro de la Paz. Three of these are structured as Combo Events, linking Rio de Janeiro with Asunción, Beijing with Tongyeong, and San Pedro de la Paz with Iquique to maximise racing opportunities and travel support. Full Team World Triathlon support is provided at Asunción, Tongyeong, and San Pedro de la Paz. These events are designed to maximise athlete exposure to World Cup racing environments during the Olympic qualification period.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted by the athlete’s National Federation; individual applications are not accepted. Eligible federations from development groups are invited to nominate athletes who meet the qualification criteria and demonstrate potential for World Cup performance and Olympic qualification. Each federation may nominate up to two male and two female athletes, submitted in order of priority where multiple nominations exist per gender. Federations must complete the official application process and ensure athletes are entered into the relevant World Cup event through the World Triathlon entry system before the deadline. Applications are reviewed by a panel including representatives from the World Triathlon Sport Department, Development team, and Team Managers, with outcomes typically communicated within one week of the deadline.
Further information is available here: World Triathlon – Team World Triathlon
Application form: Team World Triathlon Application Form
Current Team World Triathlon Members
The programme includes athletes across multiple development tiers, from elite LA2028 Members such as Diego Moya (CHI), Carolina Velasquez (COL), and Erica Hawley (BER), through to a broader LA2028 Pool and emerging Potentials group. These athletes represent all regions of the world and are progressing through structured Olympic development pathways.
A Long-Term Investment in the Future of Triathlon
Team World Triathlon represents a major global development initiative combining athlete support, Olympic strategy, and long-term pathway planning. By providing structured support to athletes from emerging nations, the programme strengthens both individual performance pathways and the global competitiveness of triathlon. As the road to LA 2028 continues, it is creating opportunities for new nations and athletes to establish themselves on the world stage while building foundations for broader global representation toward Brisbane 2032 and beyond.