The annual coming together of the World Triathlon family took place in Sanxenxo in north-west Spain on Thursday 21 September, the 36th Congress being held ahead of the 2023 World Triathlon Championship Finals Pontevedra.

With 84 National Federation delegates present in-person as well as a further 46 online, the members were presented with reports from across the year so far, as well as looking ahead to a huge Olympic year and a first taste of what is to come on the event calendar for 2024. 

“It was a huge honour to welcome the triathlon family to my home country as I approach my final year as President of World Triathlon,” said President and IOC member Marisol Casado. “The programme for the Championship Finals Pontevedra are well underway already with the Hall of Fame and Congress held and now we have three days of world championship racing ahead of us. My thanks to the Spanish Triathlon Federation and the Mayors and people of Pontevedra and Sanxenxo for hosting our flagship event.”

“We have seen the reports outlining the strong financial health of the organisation and heard from the hosts of next year’s Championship Finals Malaga, the Multisport World Championships Townsville, and from our Olympic and Paralympic hosts Paris 2024. This sport continues to prove itself one of the most dynamic and progressive in the world, anchored in equality and intent on innovation. I cannot wait for the racing and the climax of what has been an exceptional season, and of course for what is to come in 2024.”

The Bulgarian Triathlon Association was voted in as a new member of World Triathlon with the full support of the Bulgarian NOC. The IT redevelopment project - a complete overhaul of the World Triathlon digital platforms - the inauguration of the new office in Lausanne and membership of the UN Climate Neutral Now programme were key items on the agenda.

The 2024 World Triathlon Championship Finals Malaga delivered their vision for the event next year and hosted the traditional Congress lunch. The event will see all categories racing as part of the one-off World Championships in October, and the provisional calendar was revealed with six confirmed Series events, 10 World Cups and 10 Para Series and Cups, with more still to be confirmed shortly.

Congress dearly remembered Nasser Alsaied and Anne-Marie Gschwend, two integral members of the triathlon family who sadly passed away earlier this year.

The 2023 World Triathlon Championship Finals racing begins on Friday with the Age-Group Super-Sprint races, followed by the Para Triathlon, U23 men and Elite men World Championships on Saturday. Sunday, will see the elite and U23 women, Age-Group Standard distance and Aquabike and Para Mixed Relay events take to the streets of Pontevedra.