USA Triathlon to Invest $100,000-Plus to Drive Youth Multisport Participation

USA Triathlon will invest more than $100,000 to increase opportunities and access for current and prospective youth athletes across the multisport community through its 2022 Return to Racing Youth Stimulus Package.

The program includes free youth event sanctioning, free youth clinic sanctioning, free registration for youth clubs, 10 free youth memberships to race directors and clubs for every youth sanctioned race and youth club and the expansion of a youth scholarship program. The USA Triathlon Foundation Youth Scholarship Program affords members of the multisport community the opportunity to donate USA Triathlon youth memberships to deserving children as each $10 donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation made via this link buys one youth membership.

“Children across the country have been adversely impacted by the pandemic in myriad ways and it is imperative we do our part in 2022 to help them to continue to get back to participating in sports with their friends in safe environments,” said Rocky Harris, USA Triathlon chief executive officer. “The Youth Stimulus Package encourages all our industry professionals to produce more educational clinics, host additional youth events and start new youth and junior clubs. We can’t wait to get to work with our community and grow the sport.”

USA Triathlon Official Clubs have the opportunity to compete for club national and state championships, receive race discounts and other event-related perks, have access to resources and education from multisport industry and community leaders, including SafeSport training and education, and more. Race directors with youth events and youth clubs that have already sanctioned and registered with USA Triathlon are eligible for a refund.

“I applaud USA Triathlon for making youth a priority,” said Eva Solomon, USA Triathlon race director committee co-chair. “Triathlon is a lifestyle sport that can be done by most anybody, whether 8 or 80, but it does come with barriers to entry. This stimulus plan is reducing those barriers to make the sport more accessible so kids can get out and release those endorphins at a time it’s needed most.”