British Triathlon has named its biggest-ever paratriathlon squad for the run-up to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, which includes a World-Class Performance Squad of 19 athletes including Phil Hogg and Faye McClelland, who were recently named 220's Paratriathletes of the Year.
The 28-strong squad also includes nine athletes in the up-and-coming Talent Squad, with British Triathlon’s Paratriathlon Manager, Jonathon Riall commenting: "The Talent ID initiatives over the winter have helped unearth athletes in categories that we’ve not previously had them, as well as find some really exciting new talent.”
World-Class Performance Squad
Clare Cunningham, 36, Cambridge, Tri4 world champion 2009
Jane Egan, Glasgow, Tri1 world champion 2010, 2011, 2013
Faye McClelland, Eastbourne, Tri4 world champion 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Alison Patrick, 26, Livingston
Sarah Pearson, 42, Devon
Melissa Reid, 23, Truro, Tri6b world champion 2013
Lauren Steadman, 21, Peterborough, Tri4 European champion 2013
Haseeb Ahmed, 44, Leicester
Iain Dawson, 37, Norwich, Tri6b world champion 2010, 2012
Dave Ellis, 27, Derby, Tri6b world champion 2013
Matthew Emerson, 27, Sandwich, Tri5 world champion 2012, 2013
Chris Frost, 42, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Jimmy Goddard, 36, Bracknell
Chris Goodwin, 43, Hampshire, Tri6a world champion 2013
Adrian Heathfield, 39, Kent
David Hill, 25, Bath
Phil Hogg, 44, Derby, Tri1 European champion 2013
George Peasgood, 18, Saffron Walden
Joe Townsend, 26, Eastbourne
Talent Squad
Lizzy Tench, 39, Malpas, Cheshire
Mark Conway, 34, Lincoln
Bret Crossley, 40, Leeds
Steve Crowley, 37, Exeter
Andy Grant, 25, Liverpool
Ben Jones, 17,Powys
Andy Lewis, 31, Gloucester
Neil Malcolm, 34, Leeds
Ryan Talyor, 20, Derby
The international paratriathlon season will open at the ITU World Triathlon Yokohama in Japan on 17 May, and many of the GB paratriathletes will be racing at the free-to-view ITU World Triathlon London on 31 May.
Paratriathlon's debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games was recently described as a "watershed moment" for the sport by ITU president Marisol Casado, with qualification criteria agreed last January.