POSTED: Friday April 1st 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

USA Triathlon Launches Respect in Sport Coach and Leader Program

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Triathlon is pleased to announce it has partnered with Respect Group Inc. to launch the Respect in Sport Coach and Activity Leader Program, a risk management and abuse prevention program designed to help the sport of triathlon by creating a culture of respect, while reducing liability in the sensitive area of abuse.

The Respect in Sport Coach and Activity Leader Program is intended to be a tool to assist coaches in identifying and dealing with abuse, bullying, harassment and neglect in sport and respond to and report negative behaviors, if necessary. USA Triathlon is the first U.S. National Governing Body to implement this program, which has been utilized by organizations such as Hockey Canada and Gymnastics Canada.

Respect in Sport uses innovative, instructional design techniques to provide an Internet-based training experience that is simple, to the point and captivating for the learner. All USA Triathlon certified coaches will receive access information to the program via email on April 1. The program will be a recertification requirement for all USA Triathlon certified coaches starting in 2012.

"USA Triathlon is extremely proud to partner with Respect Group Inc. to launch this program for our certified coaches," said USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach. "We aim to create a positive, inclusive atmosphere for all our athletes, and this program will provide our certified coaches with the necessary resources to assure a culture of respect at all levels of the sport."

"Respect Group Inc. applauds the leadership of USA Triathlon in making the protection of all participants, especially youth, a top priority," said Paul Wylie, U.S. Representative of Respect Group Inc. and a silver medalist in figure skating for the U.S. at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympic Games. "Building respectful environments will benefit the lives of young athletes and their communities. Proactive, empowering education for coaches and youth leaders is the key. We are excited to be working with USA Triathlon as the first U.S. National Governing Body to implement Respect in Sport."

About USA Triathlon

Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon - one of the fastest growing sports in the world - as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. USA Triathlon sanctions 3,500 races and connects with more than 135,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including ITU World Championships, Pan American Games and the Summer Olympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the International Triathlon Union and the United States Olympic Committee.

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Keywords · USA Triathlon · Respect Group · Respect in Sport Coach and Activity Leader Program

Name: John Martin
Organization: USA Triathlon
Email:
Phone: 17199552805
URL: http://www.usatriathlon.org/

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