THE Triathlon Association of the CNMI is now an associate member of World Triathlon.
On Sunday, TRAC’s Ricky Castro participated virtually in the 34th World Triathlon Congress to discuss current and future plans, financials, committee reports, board resolutions, and accepting new members.
“This is a lengthy process that began for the CNMI in 2018,” Castro said. “When we submitted the last requirements to World Triathlon…we were advised beforehand that we might or might not be accepted as member, but then we got an email advising us about the congress last Sunday and saw that the CNMI was on the agenda. I knew that this was going to happen and it has!”
He said becoming an associate member is one big leap for TRAC as they now have full access to the resources of World Triathlon enjoyed by other members.
TRAC president Manny Sitchon said “now that we are an associate member, TRAC will have a lot to look forward to in the future. We are going to get a lot of support from World Triathlon including financial and technical support, along with coaching clinics and workshops.”
He said Olympic recognition is the CNMI’s next goal as he commended Northern Marianas Sports Association president Jerry Tan’s initiative to revive the Commonwealth’s long-time dream to participate in the Olympics.
With the CNMI officially a part of World Triathlon family, Sitchon said he would like to thank the following people who “took part in this journey”:
“TRAC officers and board members, Mr. Tom Carrasco of Triathlon Philippines, Noriko Namakura and Shin Otsuka, president of Japan Triathlon Union who elevated our membership application to the confederation level, Terry Sheldrake of Oceania Triathlon Union, Mr. Barry Siff and ITU board members who listened to us and made the case on behalf of the CNMI to the International Triathlon Union executive board, ITU Secretary General Antonio Arimany, President Jerry Tan of NMASA and President Michelle Cooper of Oceania Triathlon Union. We at TRAC are forever grateful!” Sitchon said.
