Three-time World Champion Peter Robertson announces end of professional career

Triple World Champion and two-time Olympian, Peter “Robbo” Robertson of Australia announced his retirement as a professional athlete.  His aggressive, all-or-nothing racing style won him three World Championships, multiple World Cups and legions of fans in Australia and around the world.

“Having decided to put a full stop at the end of my professional sporting life and having had an opportunity to look back over the years, I’m extremely proud of what I was able to achieve throughout my career. Not simply the results, but more so the fact that I followed and achieved my dreams,” said Robertson.

His unforgettable run in the oppressive heat in Gamagori, Japan propelled him to his third world title at the 2005 ITU Triathlon World Championships.  After entering the final transition with a group of more than 50 athletes, Robertson took the initiative early in the final 10k and led throughout.

Previously, he claimed his second world title in 2003 in Queenstown, New Zealand, after a bold move to break away from the main pack.  But the pinnacle of his career was tied to triathlon’s Olympic Games debut in his home country.

“My dream as a kid was to go to the Olympics and in 2000, when I won the Sydney ITU World Cup, I achieved my childhood dream, qualifying for the Olympic Games, in front of the very people who had helped me achieve this goal.  This is without doubt my most memorable sporting moment. All my other results were just icing on the cake,” said Robertson.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved throughout my career, from my supportive family, friends, fans, coaches, training partners, sponsors, Triathlon Australia, the ITU and many more, you all know who you are. Thank You.”

“Robbo’s race record at World Championships is truly exceptional and his ability to consistently win or podium in big races has made him an icon of Australian triathlon,” said Anne Gripper, CEO of Triathlon Australia.  “Triathlon Australia congratulates him on a successful and productive elite career and wishes Robbo the very best in his journey post triathlon and hopes he has the same successes in his personal and professional life as a new chapter begins.”

“Robbo has been a huge asset to the Australian Triathlon Team for the past decade, not only through his exceptional performances but through his unique and colourful personality,” said Shaun Stephens, Head Coach of Australian Institute of Sport. “Triathlon Australia would like to thank Peter for his tremendous contribution to the sport over the past decade and wishes him well for his future aspirations.”

The International Triathlon Union would like to thank Robertson for his outstanding contribution to triathlon and wishes him the very best in his new endeavours.

Peter Robertson (AUS) biography:
Born in 1976 as the youngest in a family of four, Robertson grew up in Melbourne, Victoria. He first took up the sport in 1992 and soon came to the front in the competitive Australian triathlon scenes.  Three-time world champion in 2001 Edmonton, Canada; in 2003 Queenstown, New Zealand; and in 2005 Gamagori, Japan.  Finished in 34th in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Robertson also competed 2004 Athens Olympic Games and finished in 24th.  He also won a bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.