The International Triathlon Union has recently announced that British Triathlon President, and former multiple European Triathlon Champion, Dr Sarah Springman OBE, will become one of four ITU Vice Presidents. She awaits formal confirmation of her election to the post at the ITU Congress in Madrid later this month.
Sarah is no stranger to the international scene having served as the sole Vice President in ITU's formative years, during which time Olympic programme status was achieved. She was also a Governor of the International Masters Games Association for a decade, together with several IOC members, including the highly influential President of the Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), Prof. Denis Oswald.
After a pause from activity within ITU due to a change of job and country of residence, Sarah was narrowly defeated for Presidency of ITU in 2004. A long serving Honorary President of the then British Triathlon Association, she returned to the domestic scene and was elected to the Board of the BTA in 2005. She is now President of the newly formed British Triathlon Federation, leading on the development of the organisation’s structure and governance. Support within ITU has been strong for Sarah in the run up to these elections, so her unopposed appointment is perhaps not surprising, and she greatly appreciates this vote of confidence in her.
In addition to Sarah, two further British candidates are nominated for election, both are highly experienced individuals within the British and International triathlon environment.
Jasmine Flatters, previous Chair of the British Triathlon Association and ETU Executive Board member since 2005, is looking to share her extensive events and technical experience with ITU by standing for the Technical Committee in the build up to The Olympic Games in London 2012.
Jasmine is well known for her contribution to many premier British events, including the Manchester Commonwealth Games Triathlon and the Salford ITU World Cup Triathlon. She has worked as an International Technical Official on many ITU Triathlon and Duathlon World Championships and served as ITU Technical Delegate to the ITU World Long Distance Duathlon Championships this year. She has recently been appointed as Chair of British Triathlon's Technical Committee and is currently a member of the ITU Credentials Committee.
Chris Kitchen has been a valued contributor within the long distance disciplines, having served on the ITU Long Distance Commission since 2003. Outside triathlon, Chris has spent many years in the commercial world and is co-director of his own business. An architect of the original ITU Long Distance Triathlon Series, he is seeking election to the Multi-Sport Committee to bring his considerable triathlon and business expertise and experience to this role, and to help drive the development of the non-Olympic disciplines.
Chris is a Level 3 Coach and has been a Technical Official at numerous National and International races. He has competed for GB as an Age Group athlete, managed the GB Long Distance Elite Team for many years, and was heavily involved in the development of the governance for the new BTF. Currently he is a Director of the British Triathlon Federation with the portfolio for Performance.
Both Jasmine and Chris face stiff competition for a place on their respective committees, although there is expected to be strong international support for two such experienced and capable candidates.
About British Triathlon
British Triathlon is the National Governing Body for triathlon, the UK’s fastest growing sport. At international level Great Britain boasts a strong squad of world ranked elite triathletes who regularly achieve international success and has some outstanding young talent emerging from its development programmes. Since becoming an Olympic sport in 2000, British Triathlon has seen annual increases in membership numbers of 10%. There are over 650 triathlon events conducted in Great Britain each year, including the Corus Elite Series which attracts athletes from all over the world and the renowned Mazda London Triathlon and. For more information visit BritishTriathlon.org.
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