Posted: November 14, 2007

Multisport: Vansteelant appointed to ITU Duathlon Committee

VANCOUVER, Canada – Newly crowned Long Distance Duathlon world champion Joerie Vansteelant of Belgium has been appointed to the ITU Duathlon Committee for the remaining term concluding at the end of 2008. Vansteelant fills the vacancy left by fellow Belgian Jan Daems who left to focus on his new business. The appointment was approved by ITU President Les McDonald and allows Vansteelant the opportunity to inject the passion of his late brother Benny into duathlon. “Joerie is a welcome addition to the ITU Duathlon Committee,” said McDonald. “I know he will carry on the Vansteelant passion for duathlon in his new role as part of the committee.” Though the late Vansteelant was not a member of the Duathlon Committee, it often consulted with him and was an effective liaison with athletes and race organizers. The ITU Duathlon Committee consists of three full members who are elected at ITU Congress every four years. Vansteelant joins current members Brian Hinton and Clive Faine. “As chair of the ITU Duathlon Committee I am so pleased to have Joerie join as a member of the Committee. The Duathlon community still grieves at the recent loss of his brother Benny and nothing could be more fitting than for Joerie to help shape the future of the sport, not only in memory of his brother but also as a current world Duathlon champion in his own right,” said Faine. About the International Triathlon Union (ITU): ITU is the world governing body for the Olympic sport of Triathlon and all related multi-sport disciplines: Duathlon, Aquathlon and Winter Triathlon. The International Triathlon Union was founded in 1989 in Avignon, France and now has over 120 affiliated national federations around the world. Triathlon was awarded Olympic status in 1994 and the ITU is the youngest International Federation in the Olympics. For further information visit Triathlon.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest