Triathlon mourns tragic loss of Peter Holmes

We're truly sorry to bring you some distressing news from the world of tri. Peter Holmes, of the ITU and previously of the BTF, has tragically died in a hiking accident at the weekend. Peter is someone we've worked with for years on 220 as he was instrumental in bringing triathlon news to a wider audience in both of his roles. Our thoughts are with his family, the ITU and the BTF.



Here's what the ITU and the BTF have released:



It's with absolute shock and sadness that we have to inform you of the tragic death of our colleague and close friend Peter Holmes.

Peter passed away yesterday in an accident while hiking on a local mountain in Vancouver.



It is ironic in Peter's line of work as Communications Manager, that words will never be able to describe what he meant to us all and the effect he had on all of those around him. While Peter worked with us for the last nine months, it seems like he was a part of our family since the beginning. Peter was a shining light of happiness and energy and truly touched all our lives in a deep way. We will always treasure his wit and humour. As those of us who knew him well can testify, he was a social butterfly who brought happiness to so many of our lives and those of whom he met on his international travels. Peter loved his job as much as those around him loved him. In only a short period of time he made close and treasured friendships with colleagues, athletes, event organisers and media alike. Anybody who Peter touched in life is for the better.



The triathlon world and all our lives are immeasurably poorer without Peter in it. Peter you will remain in our hearts forever.



This has been a tragic week for the triathlon world. We have lost another family member. May we all rally together to commemorate Peter and Emilio.



ITU Family.



And this came from the BTF...



British Triathlon mourns tragic loss of Peter Holmes



British Triathlon is deeply saddened by the news received from the International Triathlon Union of the tragic loss of Peter Holmes, ITU Communications Manager, in a winter sports accident in Canada on Saturday 4 December.



“This is devastating news,” said Sarah Springman, President of British Triathlon and Vice President of the International Triathlon Union. “Peter was such a wonderful young man. He was a great enthusiast and had so much talent, potential and energy for so many different fields. He was extremely popular within the BTF family and was known and appreciated all around the country. British Triathlon was very proud of him when he was selected to go to his dream job working for ITU in Canada, and notwithstanding the very short period he was there, he was extremely good at it too. The triathlon world is immeasurably poorer for this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents and brother at this very sad time.”



Peter joined the ITU in April 09 from British Triathlon, where he had been the Media Officer since 2006 after completing his degree at Loughborough University.



A keen endurance runner – competing for his home club of Cheltenham Harriers at cross-country, road and track events, Peter had also thrown himself into the sport making the GB Age Group Team for the 2007 ETU European Duathlon Championships. Whilst working at British Triathlon, his role encompassed not only raising the profile of the elite side of the sport, but he was also the highly rated editor of the popular membership magazine Trinews, so will be known to, and missed by many people within the triathlon community.