World Triathlon Presidential Candidate Newsletter

Dear triathlon family,

I hope that you and your loved ones are all doing fine.

As parts of the world is still in lockdown or about to be sent back into lockdown for a second time due to the COVID19 pandemic, it goes to show you how quickly we can find ourselves back into a difficult situation. Luckily, with good plans and a way forward, we can turn such a difficult situation into an opportunity for our organisation and our beloved sport.

The first virtual World Triathlon Congress of November 29th is providing each and every national federation with a voice. Due to the fact that the burden of travel costs does not apply this year, for the first time ever each of the triathlon nations will have the chance to participate in the Congress and our upcoming elections.

This means that all of us have the opportunity to re-establish, re-vitalize and renew World Triathlon.

I have told you several times already why there is a need to change in leadership and what areas we must focus on. In this newsletter, I would like to show you how I would tackle World Triathlon’s challenges in the first 18 months as President.

From re-establishing World Triathlon as the true leader in triathlon to developing events and countries, and on towards revising the organisation’s governance; I would like to share with you my ideas and plans.

The second part of this newsletter is dedicated to a short Q&A session covering a couple of questions that I have been asked during the many inspiring calls with my World Triathlon peers from all over the world.

Thank you for your interest in my candidacy and please do not hesitate to reach out in case you would like to discuss anything regarding my newsletter or triathlon in general.

I look forward to continuing to count on your support and to bringing a positive change to our great sport. Let’s bring triathlon back in shape together!

Best regards,

Mads Freund

World Triathlon Presidential Candidate

My 18-months Plan: How I am planning to move Triathlon forward

It is time to re-establish, re-vitalize and renew World Triathlon – now is the time to put triathlon first. Should you elect me as President I have created a detailed approach on how this can work. Below is an overview of my plan but the full plan is available here for your review.

(1) Re-establishing World Triathlon

World Triathlon must be the leader in Triathlon and put the needs of the triathlon family first!

Months 0-6: A clear strategy

World Triathlon will work, discuss and redefine our strategy towards all other organisations, companies and institutions within and around Triathlon.

Months 6-12: Contracts and Cooperation

World Triathlon will settle all talks and negotiations with agreements, contracts and MOUs setting a new solidarity course for events and corporations.

Months 12-18: Forward for Triathlon

World Triathlon will adopt a new "can do" attitude for the sport that stem from our new re-establishing process.

(2) Re-vitalize World Triathlon

World Triathlon must develop our events and attract more AGs to the World Triathlon races!

Months 0-6: New Business and Support Approach

We will take on a new business and support approach towards our Age Group races that will directly benefit our national federations. By implementing a new business approach, we will change the way we work and cooperate with LOCs to gain new revenues and further support our national federations.

Months 6-12: A new structure

We will form a new structure focused on marketing and business, making sure that the official championships will be the most desirable AG triathlon races in the world.

Months 12-18: Launch of AG race 2.0

In 2022 we will be ready to launch a better version of the World Triathlon AG races. With a solid international and political support, as well as with a new structure. With new income generated, we will decide with the continents how to best help and develop our national federations, through more financial support and more precise help.

(3) Renew World Triathlon

World Triathlon must renew governance and professionalism on all levels!

Months 0-6: Get closer to the member

We will immediately start to move the World Triathlon system and all decisions closer to the executive board members, the continents and memberships countries.

Months 6-12: Using insights within Triathlon

We have strong abilities and personalities within Triathlon. We need to put them in play instead of keeping them out. It is time to use our strengths and improve triathlon together.

Months 12-18: Transparency in action

In 2022 we will be ready to see the result of our efforts within the culture of World Triathlon. The interaction and internal dialogue will raise to a new level. With a new strategic plan in place we will be unstoppable.

Have a look at my detailed 18-month plan on how this can work!

You can also read my whole manifesto here or visit my website

Questions and Answers with Mads Freund

During the many great discussions with some of you, a couple of questions came up time and time again. That is why I would like to provide answers to those questions below. In case you have any other questions or in case you would like to discuss some of my points, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Question 1: How important is it for World Triathlon, that the president is an IOC member?

Let me first say, that I fully support the IOC and the Olympic Games. And I think that Triathlon has a strong position within the Olympic family.

However, it was once believed that that IOC membership guarantee Triathlon appearance in the games. This is clearly not the case. IOC President Thomas Bach has expressed to the Triathlon family on several occasions that Triathlon is a vital and important part of the Summer Olympic Games. This have been proven in a large scale in London 2012 and Rio 2016.

At both games the TV coverage was amazing because the competition allowed the host city to expose a large part of the city’s best landmarks during the competition. Our sport not only makes for good competition, but it also allows provides for great tourism shots! And our ratings have been really good.

Our spot in the Olympic programme is secure. Our sport is exciting, inclusive and provides exciting TV viewings. And as long as we continue to develop our sport and increase our participation numbers, we have nothing to worry about.

Furthermore, several presidents of the big summer sports IF also don’t have IOC memberships but still maintain their position and influence within the IOC and Olympic family, including among others World Sailing, FINA and UCI.

Question 2: Why do you keep emphasising the importance of Good Governance of World Triathlon?

Good governance is at the heart of any successful organisation. It is essential for an organisation to achieve its objectives and drive improvement, as well as maintain legal and ethical standing in the eyes of direct stakeholders and in the eyes of the wider community.

At World Triathlon, our current leadership is endangering our Good Governance with certain harmful practices. These practices range from violating our constitution’s 12-year term limit on towards an imbalance of power on a global scale.

Before trying to bring the organisation to the next level, we should make sure that all of our organisation – from the central leadership to each and every national federations – is sticking to Good Governance best practices.

Question 3: Why are you running for World Triathlon in the first place?

I am running because I believe that we need a change. Now is the time for new ideas and a new leadership. World Triathlon needs a new and bold move forward. I truly believe that a move like this can only be realised with a new leader. And I consider myself to be the suitable leader for the organisation at this stage.

As an avid triathlete, coach, president of a national federation and businessman, I am fully committed to helping World Triathlon take the needed next steps. With my deep knowledge of the sport and years of management experience, I will bring the new insights and new opportunities needed to our organisation and our sport.

With my passion for our sport, I am sure that the global triathlon movement has not yet exhausted its potential. And I am committing to bringing it there with everything possible.

25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only