Kirsten Sweetland was an energetic child who tried many sports before discovering triathlon at age six, finishing second in her first race. After moving to Victoria in 1999, she joined a new “Kids of Steel” club alongside the National Triathlon Centre, training with world-class coaches and athletes. While excelling nationally in triathlon, she also starred in high school cross country and track for Stelly’s School, winning provincial titles and setting the Vancouver Island 3000m record.
Kirsten rose quickly, winning the Junior National and World Junior Championships and a Silver at the World Duathlon Championships. At 18, she became the youngest winner of a World Cup race in Richard’s Bay, South Africa. Despite years of injuries and Lyme disease, she earned U23 World Championship Silver, a 2014 Commonwealth Games Silver, and achieved a top-five world ranking before realizing her Olympic dream at Rio 2016. Now retired, Kirsten enjoys mountain biking, family time, and outdoor adventures in British Columbia and Australia.
Inductee sponsored by 94 Forward.
Simon Whitfield |
Simon Whitfield |
Simon Whitfield |
Simon Whitfield |
Simon is one of Canada’s most accomplished and decorated athletes. While still in high school he discovered triathlon, which was beginning to gain popularity, and began competing up to junior national level. Following four years in Australia, finishing his schooling and continuing to train and compete, he returned to Canada and, encouraged by Victoria Ironman Peter Reid, moved to Victoria in November 1997. In 1999, Simon won bronze at the Winnipeg Pan-Am Games. During the next two decades he earned four consecutive trips to the Olympics. He will forever be known for his victory at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, winning the inaugural triathlon gold medal. He followed up that Olympic medal with silver in 2008 during the Beijing games. During his professional triathlon career, Simon won 20 national titles, including 10 consecutive National Championships, 2002 Commonwealth Games gold, and was a 14-time World Cup winner.
Simon has had many honors and much recognition over the course of his career, including carrying the Canadian flag during the 2012 Olympic opening ceremonies in London, and being inducted into the Canadian Triathlon Hall of Fame in 2014. In 2015, Simon was a Toronto Pan-Am Games Ambassador and ceremonial flag bearer in the opening ceremonies. Also in 2015, he was inducted into the International Triathlon Union Hall of Fame.
Simon is well known for his leadership, advocacy and mentorship. His impact on Canadians was summarized by sports journalist Scott Russell: “Simon Whitfield has throughout his career been a standard bearer for his sport, his family and most importantly, his country. As the first Olympic triathlon champion, he will forever be an iconic figure to countless Canadians. His exploits on the international stage have inspired a generation of young people to live the Olympic life and to do so with dignity, grace and a sense of fair play. Simon Whitfield is the consummate competitor but beyond that, he is an advocate for all that is good about sport……..His legacy is without question, immense.”
Now retired from professional sport, Simon co-founded an investment and consulting business, Relentless Pursuit Partners, working with entrepreneurs who promote optimum health and an active lifestyle. He takes his roles as triathlon’s ambassador to Canada and as Canada’s ambassador to the world very seriously. He supports numerous charities, is a founding champion for the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, and loves few things as much as mentoring youth to find their passion. In February 2016, Simon was granted an honorary doctorate from the University of Guelph. The College of Business and Economics recognized Simon for his athletic achievement, broad reaching community contributions, and mentorship for two decades.
And the one thing he loves more than anything else is his family, and his most important role of all—no matter his accomplishments—is that to his girls he’s simply, Dad.
SPONSORED BY TRIATHLON CANADA
