World Triathlon delivered its second Members Open Hours of 2026, bringing together National Federations (NFs) for key updates, strategic discussions, and a focused session on strengthening the global Age-Group (AG) ecosystem. The session opened with a welcome and update from World Triathlon President Antonio F. Arimany, who highlighted significant developments across governance, events, and athlete pathways since the previous Open Hours in February.
Season Highlights and Key Developments
The 2026 season is now underway, with two World Triathlon Cup events in Spain and China, and the first World Champions of the year crowned at the Winter Triathlon and Duathlon World Championships in Padola, Italy. With just one month to go until the Olympic qualification period commences, momentum continues to build across all levels of the sport. Quota allocations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games have now been confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marking a key milestone in youth athlete development.
President Arimany also welcomed three newly elected federation leaders
- Ms Edurne Lopez, President of the Andorra Triathlon Federation
- Ms Karen Smith, President of the Bermuda Triathlon Association
- Ms Mariama Dalinda Rollings-Kamara, President of the Sierra Leone National Triathlon Association
President Arimany then provided updates on governance, partnerships and global developments for World Triathlon. These were -
Governance, Partnerships and Global Developments
Members were updated on a number of important governance and policy developments. These included the IOC’s confirmation of YOG quota allocations, as well as updated guidance regarding the return of Russian and Belarusian youth, junior, and para athletes to competition, with World Triathlon continuing to monitor the situation closely. The IOC’s new policy on the protection of the female category was also noted, alongside World Triathlon’s ongoing ambition to secure inclusion for winter triathlon within the Winter Paralympic Games.
Two recent Executive Board meetings were held virtually, with the planned Riyadh meeting cancelled. Updates were also provided on committees and commissions, including recent appointments:
- Alex Fehon (AUS) appointed to the Age-Group Commission
- Sabina Souiounov (FRA) appointed to the Legal and Constitution Committee, replacing Karim Tamimoun (ALG)
World Triathlon also extended its thanks to all members who contributed feedback to the Legal and Constitution Committee on the independent legal experts’ review of governance rules. The organisation’s presence at the Europe Triathlon Annual General Assembly in Bucharest was acknowledged, with thanks extended to the Romanian Federation for hosting.
On the commercial front, progress continues on the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) partnership, with further clarity on event structures expected for the 2027 season. In addition, World Triathlon confirmed the approval of the new discipline “Hyathlon” following its agreement with HYROX, with competition rules to be finalised and shared shortly.
Events and Calendar Updates
Looking ahead, the 2026 event calendar continues to evolve
- The World Triathlon Championship Series will now commence in Samarkand on 25 April
- The World Triathlon Cup in Abu Dhabi has been postponed, with a potential later date under consideration
- A new World Triathlon Cup will debut in Beijing on 17 October (standard distance)
- The Hong Kong World Triathlon Cup will feature both sprint and mixed relay events on 7–8 November
Recent events already delivered this season include
- Winter Triathlon and Duathlon World Championships (Padola, Italy)
- World Triathlon Cups in Lanzarote and Haikou
- T100 Triathlon World Tour Gold Coast
- World Triathlon Para Series Devonport
- Development of Regional Cups across Barbados, Puerto Rico and Palau
Member Obligations and Congress Update
National Federations were reminded that key membership obligations are due within 15 days, including the 2026 NF Survey, the 2025 financial statements, and membership fees, all of which are accessible via the NF portal.
Further details were also shared for the XXXIX World Triathlon Congress, to be held on 23 September in Pontevedra (Sanxenxo City), Spain, with a hybrid format available for delegates. All details can be found here.
Strengthening the Age-Group Ecosystem
A central focus of the session was the presentation 'World Triathlon Age-Group Horizons: Elevating Athlete and Federation Experience,' delivered by Johanna Suss-Burckel, World Triathlon Age-Group & Mass Participation Project Manager. The presentation outlined a clear vision to grow and strengthen both age-group and mass participation segments of the sport, recognising the critical role National Federations play in engaging athletes at all levels.
Age-group athletes — those competing in continental and world championship events as NF members — represent a key pillar of the sport. At the same time, the broader mass participation community offers significant potential for growth, with a focus on increasing engagement and converting participants into active federation members.
New Initiatives and Support for National Federations
Several new initiatives are being rolled out to support NFs, including
- A structured webinar series connecting World Triathlon, event organisers, and NFs
- A new registration platform to streamline athlete entry processes
- Expanded marketing and communications support, including shared media assets and a dedicated Slack workspace
- Access to the TRI Education and Knowledge Hub
A key finding from the 2024 NF survey revealed that 77% of federations do not currently have a formal age-group strategy. In response, World Triathlon is launching a mentorship programme, pairing developed federations with developing ones to provide practical, peer-to-peer support across areas such as member engagement, event delivery, and sustainable funding models.
Additional initiatives include
- Age-group rankings
- A dedicated age-group subsite
- Enhanced event experiences at World Championships
- World Triathlon Knowledge and Education Hub access - providing expanded education offerings, including anti-doping courses and specialised coaching modules
National Federations are encouraged to actively engage with these programmes and communicate their needs to ensure tailored support and meaningful impact.
The session's presentation can be found here.
Recordings can be found below
All Open Hours are on triathlon.org here.
The next Members Open Hours will take place on 17 June at 09:30 and 16:30 CEST.