Being a Paratriathlon Champion is a Career Move

We’re looking for the next generation of paratriathletes as part of our Talent ID programme at British Triathlon, with a virtual Talent ID day on Sunday 27th February, followed by an in-person testing day in Loughborough on 13th March. In researching the campaign, we knew that many young people in the UK felt their future prospects had been limited because of the pandemic and many had reduced their aspirations as a result.

We also ran a workshop with a youth panel, all of whom had a range of sporting experiences and disabilities. One thing they all agreed on was that making a choice to join a talent pathway with any sport is like choosing your career. Balancing training alongside studies or work is a huge commitment. We liked their discussion on this. So much so, we put a job advert together all around what it takes to be a Paratriathlete Champion.

They also told us they wanted to hear from successful paratriathletes about their experiences of what it’s really like training across three sports and competing around the world. They were keen that successful broadcasters and influencers, who had impairments themselves, were the ones asking the questions.

We teamed up with Arthur Williams, Channel 4 Paralympics presenter, who alongside Paratriathlete Joe Townsend had served as a Royal Marine before his life changing injuries. Their conversation explores the journey of rehabilitation and sports role within that, Joe painting a picture of what the sport has offered him and why he’s so passionate that other athletes try it out for themselves.

We also teamed up with Lucy Edwards, disability activist, YouTube and TikTok star, Radio 1’s first blind DJ and Loose Women Presenter. She spoke with Paratriathletes Lauren Steadman and Oscar Kelly on their experiences within the sport at different stages of their career and journey on the international stage.

If you, or someone you know, is a wheelchair user, amputee, is visually impaired or has a neurological condition such as cerebral palsy, please sign up for our talent identification programme here.