Lucy Charles-Barclay has issued a lengthy statement explaining her decision not to defend her IRONMAN World Championship crown in Nice this year.
The 30-year-old Brit dropped something of a bombshell at the launch of the PTO’s T100 Triathlon World Tour on Tuesday when revealing that long-distance triathlon’s showpiece event wasn’t on her 2024 calendar.
Her reasoning was clear – she wanted to focus on the eight-race T100 series, which requires athletes to compete in at least five races plus the Grand Final. And she felt also trying to factor in the IMWC, which this year for the women is in Nice, would be too much.
But it appears to have caused some negative reaction on social media judged by her post today which starts: “In the past two days, I’ve gotten some inappropriate messages. Feel free to express your thoughts, but I ask that you remain civil.”
She is under no obligation to race in Nice and the fact that both the T100 and the IRONMAN Pro Series are new for 2024 was always likely to force some athletes into tricky calls on what is now a packed calendar.
‘Incredible time to be involved in our sport’
And LCB, who won in Kona in brilliant fashion after four successive second places, outlined the thought process in deciding on her priorities for the season ahead.
She said: “I hold both the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and IRONMAN in high regard, and I believe that each series provides incredible opportunities for professional athletes. It’s truly an incredible time to be involved in our sport, as both brands contribute significantly to its growth and excitement.
While making my race selections for this year, I was keen to focus solely on athletic performance and personal growth.
“However, my comments about my race selection this year has inadvertently landed me in the middle of the ongoing debate between Kona and Nice, as well as between IRONMAN and T100. My intention was never to take sides in the politics surrounding these events or organisations. I simply wanted to make decisions on where I felt I could perform my best and contribute positively to the sport.
“It is important for me to clarify that my respect for both PTO and IRONMAN remains unchanged. Each has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of professional triathlon, offering athletes platforms to showcase their talents, push their limits, and achieve remarkable feats.
Lucy Charles-Barclay at the T100 Triathlon World Tour launch
‘Heightened risk of injuries’
“This year the IRONMAN World Championships are set to take place in Nice. I’ve previously mentioned that I will not be competing in Nice because my primary focus is on the T100 series. I’d like to explain my thoughts behind this decision.
“Qualifying for Nice would require me to complete either two 70.3 distance races or one full IRONMAN distance race.