« More than a report, it is a guide to transformation. » World Triathlon President Antonio Fernández Arimany has made it clear: the "Future of World Triathlon" report, recently presented in Hamburg, is a major step for the future of the IF. In an increasingly competitive world, triathlon must fight for its place in the sun. And its leaders are ready to undertake profound reforms to allow it to grow.
Becoming more agile
The report, developed in partnership with Deloitte, identifies several weak points. The global triathlon landscape is highly fragmented, making it particularly difficult to present a coherent narrative to sponsors or supporters around the world. Without shared priorities or clear coordination, the system struggles to compete with the clarity and scale seen in more commercially mature sports. ", he emphasizes, also citing a limited digital presence and under-exploitation of mass events as areas for improvement.
The report recommends, among other things, improving the event experience with festival-type formats and investing in mass participation and emerging formats to " build long-term sustainability ". He also mentions the interest in creating " a unified business ecosystem, with a new entity to manage partnerships, revenue and innovation "The International Volleyball Federation is directly taken as an example since it has adapted its structure with Volleyball World as a commercial entity and the FIVB Foundation, responsible for the development of the sport among young people and amateurs.
Bernard Sinnaeve, director at Deloitte Sports, believes: " Triathlon is a sport of global importance and cultural significance. But to meet the expectations of today's athletes, fans, and partners, it must become more agile, more collaborative, and more commercially intelligent. This report lays the foundations for achieving this. » World Triathlon President Antonio Fernandez Arimany supports: "Triathlon must evolve to thrive. We will approach the future with determination, clarity, and renewed ambition to make our sport stronger, more visible, and more inclusive. »
The T100 format as an accelerator?
National federations, private event organizers, broadcasters, athletes, and sponsors discussed topics in Hamburg, including the potential inclusion of the T100 format in the Olympic Games. This long-distance model combines a 2 km swim, an 80 km bike ride, and an 18 km run—whereas at the Olympic Games, triathletes must swim 1,5 km, cycle 40 km, and run 10 km. The organizers of the PTO T100 Triathlon Series are highlighting impressive performance on digital platforms (500 million video views in 2024, a fivefold increase in YouTube subscribers since 2021), which are bound to be tempting when it comes to unlocking the sport's commercial potential.
« The potential inclusion of the T100 distance in the Olympic program could significantly boost the sport's global appeal, providing a more accessible and spectator-friendly format., says Sam Renouf, CEO of the Professional Triathletes Organization (PTO). We look forward to seeing how we can work with World Triathlon to make this a reality. "Oliver Schiek, Events Director of the German Triathlon Federation (DTU), also expressed his support for innovation and new formats." to create events that resonate with athletes and fans, ensuring a product that is both exciting and accessible The report also discusses the integration of formats such as Run-Swim-Run and indoor competitions. The World Triathlon Executive Committee will meet this week in Budapest to work on the new 2026-2029 strategic plan, which will take into account the key findings of this study.
