Anyone else feel like USA Triathlon uses the national and world qualifications as marketing spam? I do, here's why:
1) I am a decent triathlete but I am not, by any measure, a national-level talent and yet I've qualified for USA nationals pretty easily.
2) USA Triathlon sends out 'Congrats! You've qualified for nationals!' to anyone who has done a sprint triathlon. I know this because last year I received the same email at 2 different email addresses. It stated that 'Based on your finish at NJ State Triathlon, you have been accepted to Nationals!' Upon closer examination, I read the fine print that stated there is nothing you have to do to qualify, you just have to sign up. So, anyone whose email they have qualified.
3) They brand you as a USA athlete representing the USA at Worlds, and you are on 'Team USA'. It feels like a total sham with half the triathlon world walking around talking about 'I qualified for worlds at [insert random duathlon race distances here]'. If USA were to ever put together, I can guarantee you those athletes wouldn't be on the team.
Finally, on topic but not USA Triathlon, earlier this year someone I know Did a 4:50 half ironman and qualified for world championships in South Africa. Turns out that he came in 22nd place in his age group, but that 21 people ahead of him were told that they had to pay a non-refundable, $450 registration fee ON THE SPOT or they would just move onto the next person in that age group. And on top of that, it would require you to travel to South Africa (this past year), which can be a LONG trip for some.
All this to say, I feel like our sport is getting a bit diluted with commercialism; USA Triathlon and Ironman are brands more than anything.
Nourish - Sports Nutrition Made Easy
1) I am a decent triathlete but I am not, by any measure, a national-level talent and yet I've qualified for USA nationals pretty easily.
2) USA Triathlon sends out 'Congrats! You've qualified for nationals!' to anyone who has done a sprint triathlon. I know this because last year I received the same email at 2 different email addresses. It stated that 'Based on your finish at NJ State Triathlon, you have been accepted to Nationals!' Upon closer examination, I read the fine print that stated there is nothing you have to do to qualify, you just have to sign up. So, anyone whose email they have qualified.
3) They brand you as a USA athlete representing the USA at Worlds, and you are on 'Team USA'. It feels like a total sham with half the triathlon world walking around talking about 'I qualified for worlds at [insert random duathlon race distances here]'. If USA were to ever put together, I can guarantee you those athletes wouldn't be on the team.
Finally, on topic but not USA Triathlon, earlier this year someone I know Did a 4:50 half ironman and qualified for world championships in South Africa. Turns out that he came in 22nd place in his age group, but that 21 people ahead of him were told that they had to pay a non-refundable, $450 registration fee ON THE SPOT or they would just move onto the next person in that age group. And on top of that, it would require you to travel to South Africa (this past year), which can be a LONG trip for some.
All this to say, I feel like our sport is getting a bit diluted with commercialism; USA Triathlon and Ironman are brands more than anything.
Nourish - Sports Nutrition Made Easy
Last edited by:
TrainHrdRaceEz: Dec 2, 18 15:17