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From November 12 to December 17, the national triathlon team of Ukraine is holding a training camp in the Lviv region. The camp focuses on specialized preparation, particularly swimming and general physical fitness.

The camp involves juniors, youth, and adults who are part of the national team. During this period, athletes not only improve their skills but also draw inspiration from the picturesque landscapes of the region.

After the camp concludes, participants will face significant competitions. In just a week, they will compete in the Winter Ukrainian Triathlon (Aquathlon) Championship for adults and youth, as well as the Ukrainian Triathlon (Aquathlon) Cup for juniors and cadets.

This training stage is a crucial step for the athletes as they strive for new achievements and work to strengthen Ukraine’s position in international triathlon.

  

On Monday, at the 37th World Triathlon Congress in Torremolinos, Spain, Antonio Fernandez Arimany was elected President of the global governing body for triathlon, succeeding Marisol Casado, who led the organization for 16 years. Mr. Arimany became the third President in the history of World Triathlon.

The President, promising a new era for the sport, stated: “I am truly honoured to accept this responsibility and to lead our beloved sport into a new era. This is an exciting time for triathlon, and I am ready to embrace the challenges ahead. Together, we will work to elevate triathlon to the next level, ensuring that our athletes, coaches, and communities have the support they need to thrive.”

During the Congress, members were elected to various committees, including the Audit, Risk, and Integrity Committee; Credentials Committee; Legal and Constitution Committee; Medical and Anti-Doping Committee; Multisport Committee; National Coaches Committee; Para Triathlon Committee; Technical Committee; Women’s Committee; and the Tribunal. New associate members included the Mediterranean Triathlon Association and the Association of French-speaking Triathlon Nations.

Congress members were also presented with the event calendar for 2025, which includes the Championship Finals in Wollongong, Australia, and the Multisport World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain, as well as next year’s Championship Series, World Cups, Winter World Championships, Para Triathlon events, and eSport competitions.

In total, 17 agenda items were reviewed, including resolutions from the National Federations of Denmark, Egypt, and Ukraine. On September 6, Bogdan Mykhalus, President of the Ukrainian Triathlon Federation, submitted a resolution to Antonio Arimany titled “Prohibiting the participation of Russian athletes and coaches associated with the Russian military, government, or those supporting the invasion of Ukraine in international competitions.” The resolution can be viewed via the link.

The majority of votes approved the resolution: 80 members in favor (64.52%), 16 against (12.90%), and 28 abstained (22.58%). Below is the roll call of votes from the national federation members.

The World Triathlon Championships in Torremolinos, Spain, saw Ukraine represented in Paratriathlon, Junior, and Age-Group from October 15 to 20.
On October 16, the Parade of Nations kicked off the event, with representatives marching from Playa Rincón del Sol to Plaza del Remo. The next day, the competition began in full.

On October 17, Spain’s David Cantero Del Campo and Hungary’s Karolina Helga Horváth were crowned world champions in the U23 age group. Later that day, age group athletes competed in the sprint distance, with Ukraine’s Tetiana Korol finishing 27th in the 30-34 age group, clocking a time of 1 hour, 24 minutes, and 49 seconds.

On Friday, October 18, paratriathletes took to the course. Ukraine’s Valerii Perekhrest finished 7th in the PTS3 category. Perekhrest, the 2023 Ukrainian champion and World Para Cup winner in Taranto, Italy, wrapped up his season ranked 16th globally.

Meanwhile, Alisa Kolpakchy faced stiff competition in the PTS5 category, battling alongside Paralympic medalists. Kolpakchy swam alongside Poland’s Monika Belczewska, and the pair raced neck-and-neck during the cycling leg. Kolpakchy eventually pulled ahead in the run but narrowly missed overtaking Poland’s Marta Dzieciątkowska, finishing 6th in her 9th World Championships and ending the season ranked 7th.

In the PTVI category, Vita Oleksiuk and Anatolii Varfolomieiev represented Ukraine. Vita, with guide Nataliia Matsupko, finished 10th, while Anatolii, guided by Roman Korol, placed 9th. They ranked 14th and 23rd globally, respectively.

The junior category continued the day’s events, with French athletes Nils Serre Gehri and Ambre Grasset taking top honors. Ukraine’s Yeva and Dana Soroka made their World Championship debuts, both ranked in the European top ten. Yeva clocked a time of 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 51 seconds, while Dana finished in 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 32 seconds.

On Saturday, October 19, age group athletes took on the standard distance. Ukraine’s Olga Mostova finished 15th in the 35-39 age group. The day also featured aquabike competitions, and later, France’s Cassandre Beaugrand claimed the world title in the women’s triathlon.

The competition concluded on Sunday with the mixed relay and paratriathlon events. France reclaimed the world title in the Junior/U23 mixed relay. This year also saw the official introduction of the paratriathlon mixed relay, requiring one PTWC (wheelchair) athlete per team. After being tested in previous years in Abu Dhabi and Pontevedra, the event became part of the medal tally in Torremolinos. The race came down to a fierce battle between the USA and Great Britain.

The men’s triathlon closed the event, with New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde dominating the race.

Ivan Shevchenko and Kseniia Levkovska proudly represented Ukraine, showcasing their strength and endurance on the international stage.

Kseniia started the race in the group chasing the leaders. Alessia Orla and Amalia Maria were the first to enter the running segment. Alessia claimed victory, while Amalia was caught by the chasing pack. The fight for second place came down to three athletes, including Kseniia, who crossed the finish line in third, securing a bronze medal.

In the men’s race, Ivan Shevchenko finished in 21st place.

The French city of Vichy hosted the European Paratriathlon Championships and the European Championships on the standard distance. Ukraine was represented in paratriathlon by athletes across three classes: Valerii Perekhrest (PTS3), Alisa Kolpakchy (PTS5), Anatolii Varfolomieiev, and Vita Oleksiuk (PTVI), all of whom added points to the world ranking through their performances at the European Championship.

Valerii, the winner of the Paratriathlon World Cup in Taranto, Italy, made his European Championship debut and is steadily climbing toward the top 10 in the world ranking.

Alisa, a three-time Paralympic participant, secured bronze in Vichy, marking her second podium at a continental championship. Though she lagged behind in the swim, Alisa caught up on the bike leg and delivered the fastest run in the PTS5 category.

Anatoliy and Vita were guided by leaders Roman Korol and Nataliia Matsupko. Despite heavy rain, the Ukrainian duos completed the race without any falls, adding crucial points to the world paratriathlon rankings.

In the elite category, Ukraine was represented by Vitalii Vorontsov and Daryna Moskalenko. Unfortunately, Vitalii had to withdraw early, while Daryna fought back in the chasing group, improving her position on the run and earning valuable points for the world rankings.

On September 20, at the Hotel d’Agglomération on Place Charles de Gaulle, the Europe Triathlon General Assembly took place. Ukraine was represented by the President of the Ukrainian Triathlon Federation, Bohdan Mykhalus. The General Assembly featured the presentation the candidates who are running for the roles of Vice President, Executive Board member, and members of various World Triathlon Committees.

Elections are scheduled for the Congress in Torremolinos, Spain, on October 21, 2024. Following the presentation of the candidate for the position of President of the World Triathlon, the current secretary of the World Triathlon, Antonio Arimany, is highly likely to be elected. Two candidates from Japan and Mexico traveled to France to announce that they are withdrawing their nominations in favor of Antonio Arimany. On September 6, the President of the UTF, Bohdan Mykhalus, sent a Resolution to Antonio Arimany, which will be considered at the world congress in October. The document can be accessed via the link.