Thank You Simon Whitfield

Per a press release, Simon Whitfield announced today his retirement from international sports competition.

I remember watching Simon Whitfield win the Gold Medal in the inaugural Triathlon event at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.  I remember this – it wouldn’t be until 11 years later that I would race my own first triathlon – but I remember this.  It was on the other side of the world – I don’t know what I was doing awake at that time.  But I remember this.

I remember how excited I was.  I remember being really proud of our fellow Canadian crossing the finish line.  I remember being very intrigued by this awesome sport.

My own first race may not have been until 2011, but I have email records of talking to friends about “wouldn’t it be cool to do a triathlon” that date back to 2006.  And those early thoughts came to be because of the exposure and inspiration from Simon’s race.

I remember this summer learning about the Toronto Triathlon Festival, and regretting that I couldn’t race it.  Sadly, it conflicted with another race already penned into my schedule.  I remember reading that Simon would be racing – amongst the list of other pros – and thinking “wouldn’t it be great if I could toe the line with Simon Whitfield”.  Wouldn’t it be great to get beat by Simon Whitfield!

Thank you Simon.  For representing Canada so fantastically on the international stage.  And for introducing me and inspiring me to give this great sport a try.  All the best to you in your future endeavors.  You’ll always be a winner to me!