Friday, 19 March 2010
ITU History
Although triathlon has not existed as a sport for more than a few decades, it has seen a meteoric rise in popularity in that time, and and has become an Olympic event. The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has had a large impact on the global visibility and accesibility of the sport. The ITU’s beginnings were in Stockholm, November 1988, when a meeting of existing Triathlon National Federations was convened by Major General Sven Thofelt, IOC, upon the initiative of the IOC President, Juan Antonio Samaranch. This exploratory meeting held under the auspices of UIPMB and attended also by Mr. Gunnar Ericsson, IOC, saw the election of the working committee of Triathlon, chaired by Les McDonald, (CAN) and Secretary Sture Jonasson (SWE).
In March 1989, the first Congress of ITU was organized by the ‘working committee’ in Avignon, France. Thirty (30) NFs were in attendance, which conducted elections and prepared for the 1st World Championships in Triathlon.
On August 6th, 1989, in Avignon, France, ITU, the newly created world governing body, conducted the inaugural Olympic distance World Championships.
In an environment of complete unity, ITU held its second Congress at the same time. Representatives from over 40 national governing bodies ratified new policies, committed principally to the ideals and philosophy of Olympism. It adopted strict anti-apartheid and anti-doping control rules, in line with IOC policy. At the same time it adopted progressive pro-women policies of its own.
On September 15th, 1990, the world of Triathlon, now composed of athletes and representatives from more than 45 countries, traveled to Orlando, USA, for the second World Championships and the third ITU Congress.
In October 1990 in Budapest, ITU was accepted as a full member of GAISF.
At the Birmingham Session, June 1991, ITU was recognized by the IOC.
Mr. Gunnar Ericsson, IOC, was elected as the Honourary President of ITU at the 1993 Congress, in recognition of his tireless energy in promoting Triathlon, and his help in creating unity within ITU; and his ability to establish an adherence to the Olympic ideals on the part of the athletes and NFs of ITU.
At the IOC meeting in Paris in 1994, Triathlon was put on the Olympic Programme for the Sydney Olympic Games of 2000.
Sture Jonasson (SWE) was made an Honourary Member of ITU in 1995. Another Honourary Member, Dr. Jim Hazel, was voted in by the ITU Congress in 1998.
Mr. Phillip Coles of Australia, IOC, was made an Honourary Member of ITU in 2000. Also in 2000 triathlon was a part of the Olympic Games for the first time.
Sarah Springman (GBR) was made an Honourary Member of ITU at the important 2001 Congress in Edmonton, Canada.
ITU’s stance is that the sport spectacle, without any educational cultural counter-parts, produces a product designed to satisfy spectator expectations and the interests of third parties. Hence the competitor becomes a professional entertainer and ethical considerations are pushed aside by marketing strategies. ITU firmly rejects that alternative and is committed wholeheartedly to the path of Olympism.
The International Triathlon Union and its national federations have succeeded in organizing the development of triathlon into its fold. Triathlon’s appeal as a sport vocation plus the extraordinary contribution of its volunteers, the value of whose work, together with that of our partner sponsors, and the athletes themselves, is its greatest strength, joy and sustenance. The International Triathlon Union will strive to find solutions which satisfy the demands of its athletes, whilst at the same time preserving those ethical values enshrined in the Olympic Charter, of which it is the trustee.
