British Triathlon’s 2021/22 World Class Performance Programme Athletes
British Triathlon have finalised the UK Sport Lottery Funded World Class Performance Programme for 2021/22. The 24 named athletes will be funded towards achieving success at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As the sport begins the Paris 2024 cycle, the athletes have been selected based on their potential for achieving success at the Olympic or Paralympic Games.
The Mixed Team Relay Olympic Champions, Jess Learmonth, Jonny Brownlee, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Alex Yee have been selected onto the podium programme and will be joined by World Triathlon Championship Series medallist Sophie Coldwell.
There have also been significant moves from Podium Potential to Podium level funding based on high-achieving performances during 2020/21. None more so than the inclusion of 20-year-old Connor Bentley who is making his mark on the senior international scene, most recently having taken 2rd in the Barcelona European Cup, having had podium success as a youth international.
Beth Potter is an addition to the list as her transition from Olympic runner to potential Olympic triathlete makes great strides following her back-to-back World Cup wins in South Korea. She will be looking to make an impact on the 2022 World Triathlon Championship Series having already gained a 7th place in Abu Dhabi.
The Paratriathlon World Class Programme sees Paralympic medallists Lauren Steadman, George Peasgood and Claire Cashmore being selected at podium level. Also included is Michael Taylor as he continues his rapid rise in world paratriathlon since joining the British Para-Triathlon performance squad in November 2019
Athletes selected on to the programmes are also able to access world-class sports science and medicine services, and support from British Triathlon’s leading performance team. There is a commitment within the programmes to support athletes with a long-term career view, including supporting them through illness and injury.
British Triathlon Performance Director, Mike Cavendish, said: “As we begin building towards the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games it is great to announce such strong athletes on to the World Class Programme for this season.
“We have enjoyed success across a number of levels this summer most notably in Tokyo but to see some of our less experienced/younger athletes taking steps forwards in their performances has been really pleasing. I know as we continue to move closer to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we will continue to see our athletes grow and improve in their performances.
“I have to also mention UK Sport and the National Lottery, without who none of this success would be possible.”
The 2021/22 UK Sport Lottery Funded World Class Performance Programme include:
Triathlon:
Sophie Alden, 23, from Norwich, trains Loughborough
Gordon Benson, 27, from Leeds, trains Leeds
Connor Bentley, 20, from Crewe, trains Loughborough
Tom Bishop, 30, from Derby, trains Leeds
Jonny Brownlee, 31, from Leeds, trains Leeds
Sophie Coldwell, 26, from Nottingham, trains Loughborough
Sam Dickinson, 24, from York, trains Leeds
Ben Dijkstra, 23, from Loughborough, trains Loughborough
Vicky Holland, 35, from Gloucester, trains Leeds
Jess Learmonth, 33, from Leeds, trains Leeds
Olivia Mathias, 23, from Newark, trains Loughborough
Beth Potter, 29, from Glasgow, trains Leeds
Sian Rainsley, 24, from Coventry, trains Leeds
Non Stanford, 32, from Swansea, training Leeds
Georgia Taylor-Brown, 27, from Manchester, trains Leeds
Kate Waugh, 22, from Gateshead, trains Leeds
Alex Yee, 23, from London, trains Loughborough
Paratriathlon*:
Fran Brown, 37, from London, trains London
Claire Cashmore, 33, from Kidderminster, trains Loughborough
Dave Ellis, 35, from Heanor, train Loughborough
Alison Peasgood, 34, from Dunfermline, trains Stirling
George Peasgood, 26, from Saffron Walden, trains Loughborough
Lauren Steadman, 28, from Peterborough, trains Portsmouth/Lanzarote
Michael Taylor, 25, from Cornwall, trains Loughborough
*Selections for the Paratriathlon programme were made on 11 November meaning that any athletes affected by the increase in medal events for Paris 2024 announced on 19 November are not included in this announcement. A decision will be made about additional athletes in due course.
