Ahead of the 2024 World Triathlon Congress in Spain next month, AusTriathlon has endorsed Michelle Cooper’s candidacy for the position of President of World Triathlon.
Cooper, the current President of AusTriathlon and Oceania Triathlon, had her candidacy announced among eight nominees by World Triathlon last month, with AusTriathlon endorsing her bid before it received formal approval from the World Triathlon Credentials Committee.
The elections, set to occur during the Congress in Torremolinos, Spain, on 21 October 2024, will mark the end of current World Triathlon President Marisol Casado’s 16-year tenure, as she has announced she will not seek re-election, ushering in a new era of leadership for the organisation.
Brisbane-based Cooper brings extensive corporate and sports leadership experience and a bold vision for the future of triathlon. Her candidacy reflects her commitment to driving growth, fostering inclusivity, and delivering transformative change to triathlon on a global scale.
In her recent address to the Europe Triathlon Assembly in Vichy, France, she outlined her vision for World Triathlon, acknowledging the organisation is “on the precipice of great change” and that her leadership would represent “a new starting line for triathlon.”
Outside of her board roles, Cooper brings more than two decades of experience in the sport including roles as a coach, technical official, race commentator, and athlete, uniquely positioning her to lead the organisation into a new era.
As the president of both AusTriathlon and the Oceania Triathlon Confederation, she has demonstrated the ability to create successful governance models and inspire growth across various levels of the sport.
“Our sport needs transformation, innovation, and a fresh approach,” Cooper said, emphasising her desire to empower national federations to have a stronger voice in shaping the sport’s future.
She advocates for a level of decentralisation, enabling regions to leverage their unique strengths while working towards a unified global strategy.”It’s about thinking globally but acting locally,” she said, highlighting her vision for a more sustainable, collaborative, and data-driven approach to events and athlete development.
“Rebuilding the sport from the ground up is essential, with a focus on delivering a reliable race calendar, enhancing financial rigour, environmental sustainability, and creating stronger engagement with athletes, race organisers, and national federations,” Cooper said.
AusTriathlon Chief Executive Officer Tim Harradine said the organisation is confident that Cooper is the leader World Triathlon needs to embrace the opportunities ahead and guide the sport into an exciting new chapter of growth and global success.
“Michelle brings the commitment of a leader who will listen, collaborate, and execute a long-term vision for the global triathlon community.” Harradine said.
“Her candidacy stands out not only for her governance experience but also for her deep personal connection to the triathlon community.“As an active participant who is preparing for her ninth Age Group World Championship, she knows firsthand the challenges faced by athletes and federations alike, and she wants to address those challenges through innovative solutions, increased transparency, and improved communication across all levels of the sport.”
In addition to being endorsed by AusTriathlon, Coopers’ candidacy has been formally endorsed by the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and Commonwealth Games Australia, all critical partners of the sport at an international level.
