Quitting Triathlon is not an Option

‘I quit’ was the first thought that entered the mind of Sika Henry when she woke up in A&E with doctors diagnosing the severity of her injuries following a horrific bike crash whilst competing in the 2019 Ironman 70.3 Texas. 

Quitting seemed the sensible option at the time. Her triathlon ambitions to be a role model to black kids by becoming the first female African American professional triathlete did not include sewing up her lacerated face with 30 stiches, resetting a broken nose, having to undergo restorative dentistry to say nothing of the neurological tests to make sure her brain was functioning correctly. 

During her weeks of recuperation and being pieced back together again, Sika began to question her quest – was the lack of diversity in triathlon that important? 

What Sika had not banked on were those very young athletes she hoped to inspire to the sport of Triathlon were already following her journey and now sending her cards of well wishes and letting Sika know that she was already their role model. 

At that moment, it dawned on Sika that quitting Triathlon was not an option. 

Her push for diversity in Triathlon by attracting young Black Americans to the sport by creating visibility was the right pathway to take – it mattered and was important to those kids.   

As of this year, U.S.A. Triathlon said, 13.3 percent of its annual members are people of colour and less than 2 percent are Black or African American – (the UK numbers fare no better) 

While it’s easy to assume the disparity in racial demographics are a result of choice – individual sport like athletics is preferred over triathlon – its deeper than that.  And we cannot shift the culture until we start to have the hard conversations. 

In the US lack of swimming skills for black kids has been historically caused by racial discrimination and segregation at swimming pools. The inability to swim disproportionately affects the Black community according to the U.S.A. Swimming Foundation. 

Whilst working towards diversity and equity in cycling should be inspirationally led by the strong legacy of an African American sports pioneer Marshall W. “Major” Taylor. (aka the Worcester Whirlwind) a record-breaking speed cyclist who was, for the first decade of the 20th century, the fastest man in the world in a racially-segregated America. 

Who was the ‘Worcester Whirlwind’? 

In all of this, there are lessons to be learnt in that we cannot be complacent in thinking it is up to groups who are excluded to keep knocking at the door to constantly point out the microaggressions they experience in the sport. Nor should we have to wait for a role model (like Sika Henry) to inspire young kids of ethnic minorities to say ‘I can do this’. 

Whilst participation in triathlon is seemingly open to everyone regardless of their background and is largely equal in terms of the gender split among participants, and prize money available, the stark under-representation of ethnic minorities is immediately noticeable.  

Governing bodies do their best laying out policy display of equality, diversity and inclusion but we may be better served reflecting on whether triathlon can pragmatically improve its attraction. To this end, it is all of our responsibility to unpack historical systems of inclusion and exclusion and understand their continued influence on triathlon today. No one wants to feel out of place which is why diversity and inclusion are so important. 

As for Sika Henry, well with a renewed focus, and fresh mentality, she continued on with her role model mission and made history on May 2, 2021, at Challenge Cancun, qualifying for her USA Triathlon Elite license to become the first U.S. Black female professional triathlete in history. 

The American athlete has been one of the leading advocates for generating more diversity in the sport of triathlon. As with any sport, increasing awareness and decreasing barriers for entry at any level is key for building a more diverse population within the sport of Triathlon.  

As she trains for the 2022 season, which will be her first full season as a professional triathlete, Sika Henry’s belief in the importance of image and representation namely – if you can see it; you can achieve it – will inspire young athletes from all under- represented ethnic minorities to follow their dreams of one day competing at Kona with the mantra of  “I can do this”