Irish Officials to Key International Roles

Six long standing Triathlon Ireland members have taken on key roles in World- and Europe Triathlon.

Judge Tom O’Donnell has been appointed to the World Triathlon Tribunal by the body’s Executive Board.

It follows the successful election of Anna Grealish, Bernard Hanratty, Hugh McAtamney and Chris Kitchen to positions within Europe Triathlon; and the appointment of Triathlon Ireland President Lochlann Walsh as Europe Triathlon’s representative on the World Triathlon Age Group Commission. 

Four Decades in Triathlon

Judge Tom O’Donnell’s involvement with triathlon in Ireland stretches back almost four decades. He was a founding member of Limerick Triathlon Club in 1984, and was President of Triathlon Ireland’s predecessor organisation, the Irish Triathlon Association between 1987 and 1991. Judge O’Donnell also served as President of the European Triathlon Union (now Europe Triathlon) from 1990 to 1994.

He has raced throughout this period at home and abroad and is pictured above at his club’s Joey Hannon Triathlon in 2018.

Judge O’Donnell presides over the Limerick circuit and is an Adjunct Professor of Law at University of Limerick.

He is one of eight members of the World Triathlon Tribunal, which is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of breaches of the organisation’s Constitution, Rules, Regulations and Codes. The Tribunal also adjudicates on cases and appeals brought before it by national federations.

Grealish, McAtamney and Kitchen to Europe Triathlon

Judge O’Donnell’s appointment follows the election of three Triathlon Ireland candidates to Europe Triathlon last month.

Triathlon Ireland’s Women in Sport lead, Anna Grealish was elected to the body’s Development Committee; well known level 3 Technical Official (and former Triathlon Ireland President 2002-06) Hugh McAtamney was elected to the Technical Committee; and former Triathlon Ireland CEO Chris Kitchen was re-elected to a second term as the organisation’s Vice President.

The candidates were put forward and supported by Triathlon Ireland in an election decided upon by Europe Triathlon’s national governing bodies.

The successful outcome is testament to Ireland’s reputation on the international stage, according to Triathlon Ireland President, Lochlann Walsh.

“Triathlon Ireland has a long history of playing our part in the development of triathlon on the European and global stage, Mr Walsh said.

He continued: “Indeed Con O’Callaghan, one of our Hall of Fame recipients, was a founder member of the European Triathlon Union in 1983.  I’m really proud that this tradition of giving back to our global sport and of learning from global best practice continues following the latest election season.”

“This demonstrates the talent we have in Triathlon Ireland and the extremely positive view the world triathlon community has of us.  I wish all our successful candidates well as they influence the development of our sport over the next quadrennial”

Walsh and Hanratty Elected to World Triathlon Positions

Triathlon Ireland Vice-President Bernard Hanratty was elected as Vice-Chair of World Triathlon Women’s Committee and Chair of World Triathlon Diversity Commission, while current Triathlon Ireland President Lochlann Walsh has been appointed as Europe Triathlon’s representative on the World Triathlon Age Group Commission. 

Europe Triathlon’s Elected Members

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