Miami, US: All the competitors at the opening T100 World Triathlon Tour race united behind International Women’s Day in Miami today.

Before taking the startline for Saturday’s Miami T100 at CLASH Endurance Miami, all the athletes were photographed making the hand heart sign and then talked about this year’s IWD theme of #inspireinclusion, aiming to forge a more inclusive world for women.

Asked what she finds inclusive about the sport, Britain’s Lucy Charles-Barlcay said: “From the moment I stepped into triathlon, I felt like it was a really inclusive sport. You’ve obviously got women and men competing at the highest level for the same prize money, the same amount of exposure.”

“I see so many inspirational women in this sport coming in from an amateur level and looking up to the top women. I think with this series we have the same kind of thing, where young women and girls can actually look up to the top 20 women in the sport and be inspired to get into triathlon.”

Invited to name some of the women that had inspired her, Lucy continued:

“I definitely have quite a few female heroes. I mean, coming into the sport, I had quite a lot of great British triathletes to look up to. We have so much strength and depth in our country. So in the long course we had Chrissie Wellington. I used to look up to Lucy Gossage, who’s a great friend of mine. In the short course, we’ve had Olympic medallists. We had Georgia Taylor-Brown who’s gone and won medals. I think it’s easy to look to triathlon to find inspiration and I feel really lucky that I’ve been able to do that.”

American Sam Long called out inspiration both inside and outside of the sport:

“A real inspiration and role model to me inside the sport of triathlon is Daniella Ryf. I just think she’s set the example of class, of pure performance, and of consistency over such a long time.”

“But obviously now that I’m a dad, I’ve got so much more respect for my partner, Laura. She’s doing such a good job being a great team partner, helping raise the baby while I’m out on my bike training all day. And so I just think, yeah, all the moms out there, they’re the most incredible people ever.”

To watch the video the PTO put out to support International Women’s Day click here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4QPRp0u4Ii/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

For Further Information

Anthony Scammell E: [email protected]

About the Professional Triathletes Organisation

The PTO is a sports body that is co-owned by its professional athletes, seeking to elevate and grow the sport of triathlon and take it to the next level. The T100 Triathlon World Tour is the new name for the PTO Tour and has been designated by World Triathlon as the ‘official World Championship for long distance triathlon’. It will be a season-long schedule of eight T100 races during 2024 that will be competed over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run) and will feature the world’s best triathletes going head-to-head in Miami (9 March), Singapore (13-14 April), San Francisco (8-9 June), London (27-28 July), Ibiza (28-29 September) , Lake Las Vegas (19-20 October), Dubai (16-17 November) and at the Grand Final (29-30 November). There will be racing opportunities for amateurs at all the events, including the new 100km distance at six stages, including: Singapore, London, Ibiza, Lake Las Vegas, Dubai and at the Grand Final.

About International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.

Marked annually on March 8th, IWD is one of the most important days of the year to:

• celebrate women’s achievements
• educate and awareness raise about women’s equality
• call for positive change advancing women
• lobby for accelerated gender parity
• fundraise for women-focused charities

Everyone, everywhere can play a part in helping forge gender equality. From a wide range of IWD campaigns, events, rallies, lobbying, and performances – to festivals, parties, fun runs, and celebrations – all IWD activity is valid. That’s what makes IWD so inclusive. So make IWD your day and do what you can, in your own way, to help forge a gender equal world.