World Triathlon

ITU Secretary General Loreen Barnett was recently recognized one of Canada’s Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity in 2012 by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS).

In its 11th edition, this is Barnett’s first time being named to the prestigious list of women who are game changers in influencing sport and activity in both Canada and internationally. The list includes athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, professors and more.

This year, Barnett joined the likes of Olympic cross country skier Beckie Scott and the Canadian women’s soccer team for their positive influence in the lives on Canadians, specifically those of females.

“Celebrating women leaders encourages women and girls, and indeed all Canadians, to look at these individuals and be inspired to lead in their own way,” said CAAWS Executive Director Karin Lofstrom (Ottawa, Ontario). “Our goal is to create a ripple effect. For example, when a young girl reads about Tanya Dubnicoff who is now coaching at the Olympic level or Claudine Labelle who overcame a serious accident and founded FitSpirit, she gets the right message about skills that go far beyond the field of play that can be developed by participating in sport and physical activity.”

In October, Barnett, along with ITU President Marisol Casado, was re-elected to lead ITU in the next Olympic cycle at ITU’s 25th Congress. ITU remains the only International Federation with women in the two most senior leadership positions.