International triathlon legend, Craig Alexander OAM, Olympic medallist and two-time World Triathlon Champion, Emma Moffatt and Paralympic gold medallist and two-time World Champion Katie Kelly OAM, have been appointed as ambassadors for the World Triathlon Championship Finals to be held in Wollongong from 14-19 October, 2025.
The trio of the triathlon world’s superstars have joined the World Triathlon Championship Finals team to inspire the next generation and support the thousands of domestic and international competitors making their way to Wollongong.
Long time favourites and genuine “people’s champions”, Alexander, Moffatt and Kelly are all delighted to be onboard, bringing with them extensive knowledge, experience and a genuine connection to the triathlon community and an international audience.
With years of competing and training in the area, Alexander has a genuine affinity for the stunning Illawarra region.
“Wollongong is a great location for a world championship and it has a strong triathlon history with a lot of great races being held over the years around the foreshore and the harbour. So, there is a lot of history and personally I have a strong affection for Wollongong,” Alexander said.
A key part of the ambassador role is to showcase the Illawarra to the world and they are keen to ensure that all visitors have the best experience on and off the race course and leave Wollongong with wonderful and long lasting memories.
Australia hasn’t had a home world championship for nearly a decade and Craig believes it will be a huge shot in the arm for the sport.
“I am excited to be the ambassador for the World Triathlon Championship Finals and I am looking forward to watching the racing in Wollongong and doing anything I can to inspire a few Aussie performances,” Alexander said.
“Wollongong has a big tradition of putting on events, and I know the local community will get behind it and be fired up. If we can get a couple Aussies racing well at a home world title, I think that would be a huge inspiration for the next generation coming through.”
Australian triathlon legend Emma Moffatt delivered a defining moment in her career when she claimed the World Championship title on home soil at the 2009 Grand Final on the Gold Coast and a second world title in Budapest in 2010.
She said she feels honoured to have been asked to be an ambassador for the World Triathlon Championship Finals, supporting the athletes that are racing, inspiring the next generation and helping deliver an amazing world class event in Wollongong.
Katie Kelly’s path to triathlon legend status included two world championship titles and she understands the importance of the World Triathlon Championship Finals. Like her fellow ambassadors she is keen to see the event be a springboard for continued diversity and inclusion, and the growth of the sport in Australia.
“When you put on the green and gold and you have the Australian coat of arms on the uniform, it is incredible,” Kelly said.
“Representing your country is an amazing opportunity that I always wanted to honour but it is also about being able to give back to the sport, to give back to your community and those who have created this opportunity for you.”
All three ambassadors are keen to see all the local businesses, community groups and residents to get involved and embrace this once in a lifetime opportunity for Wollongong.
“The impact of the World Championship Finals on the local community will be awesome,” Alexander said.
“You’re going to get several thousand athletes in their families coming in and the television footage is going to be beamed all around the world to a global audience. There will be many young kids in Wollongong coming down to watch the race, to watch some of the best triathletes in the world and being inspired. We talk about the economic impact for a community or a town which is vital, but I always think about the positive impact, the inspiration and the legacy an event leaves long after it’s gone. That is so important.”
AusTriathlon CEO, Tim Harradine said our newly announced ambassadors represent everything that is great about our sport.
“Not only are Craig, Emma and Katie world class athletes and AusTriathlon Hall of Fame inductees, they are also passionate advocates who have helped shape triathlon into the inclusive and community driven sport it is today,” Harradine said.
Their involvement as ambassadors for the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong ensures this event will not only celebrate elite performance but also inspire the next generation to find their own starting line.”
Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Councillor Tania Brown welcomed the announcement of Craig, Emma and Katie as Wollongong’s 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals ambassadors.
“These three sportspeople have proven themselves not only as elite athletes but as keen advocates for the sport. We’re privileged to be welcoming them to Wollongong for this truly exciting event, I look forward to seeing them draw upon their knowledge and experience to inspire others to have a wonderful experience both on and off the course,” Cr Brown said.
“As the event draws nearer, there is a buzz starting to be felt around Wollongong as we look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best triathletes, their teams and their supporters to the city. We’re super pumped for what is coming our way in October.”
The 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals Wollongong are proudly supported by the New South Wales Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
