It is unbearable to me that "50 women to Kona" is controversial. This is a phenomenal time for leadership that will only help the sport we all love to prosper.
Leadership isn't doing what is popular, leadership isn't doing what is easy, it's setting the direction for the way things should be.
I have yet to hear a valid argument as to why we shouldn't have parity in our professional ranks. It is just. It is right. It is an OPPORTUNITY to stimulate growth.
By introducing the opportunity for more professional women to race in the (Ironman, mind you, world championships) we will see fresher racing, more opportunities go to pros and high-level amateurs alike. This move will add more influencers and role models for triathletes everywhere, Male and Female alike.
It is disgusting to me that we are not flat-out chastising WTC for their appalling lack of leadership.
Here's another take on the topic:
1. We've all heard Dan and other members of the industry talk about the very real slowdown / stall / plateau of participation in Triathlon.
2. Other participatory/endurance sports have seen significant increases in participation due in great thanks to a surge in Female interest, such as Half Marathon running which is approximately 64% Female.
2. At present Triathlon is a male-heavy sport, and staggeringly so within Iron-distance. Look at the demographics from a typical, well run, "local" triathlon:
I dunno, you do the math.
~DE
Leadership isn't doing what is popular, leadership isn't doing what is easy, it's setting the direction for the way things should be.
I have yet to hear a valid argument as to why we shouldn't have parity in our professional ranks. It is just. It is right. It is an OPPORTUNITY to stimulate growth.
By introducing the opportunity for more professional women to race in the (Ironman, mind you, world championships) we will see fresher racing, more opportunities go to pros and high-level amateurs alike. This move will add more influencers and role models for triathletes everywhere, Male and Female alike.
It is disgusting to me that we are not flat-out chastising WTC for their appalling lack of leadership.
Here's another take on the topic:
1. We've all heard Dan and other members of the industry talk about the very real slowdown / stall / plateau of participation in Triathlon.
2. Other participatory/endurance sports have seen significant increases in participation due in great thanks to a surge in Female interest, such as Half Marathon running which is approximately 64% Female.
2. At present Triathlon is a male-heavy sport, and staggeringly so within Iron-distance. Look at the demographics from a typical, well run, "local" triathlon:
I dunno, you do the math.
~DE