COLORADO SPRINGS — In an effort to keep promising young triathletes in the sport, USA Triathlon is joining with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and the U.S. Olympic Committee to create a landmark program called the Elite Triathlon Academy.
Top junior triathletes often leave the sport to become collegiate runners or swimmers to take advantage of scholarships. The Elite Triathlon Academy will identify potential Olympic triathletes and give them the chance to develop in the sport while attending UCCS on scholarship.
“This is a game-changer for us,” USA Triathlon chief executive Rob Urbach said Tuesday.
The athletes will have access to coaching and the facilities at the Olympic Training Center. They will be housed in apartments near the UCCS campus.
Keith Dickson, who created a highly successful triathlon training group in Illinois, will direct the academy.
“This has been a long-term goal of mine,” Dickson said. “The idea that we could put it together where they could be going to college and training for their sport in triathlon is a real breakthrough. This represents to every kid in the United States — and the sport of triathlon is growing so rapidly — that now, if you’re good enough, there is a place you can go and get a scholarship in triathlon.”
Five athletes will make up the first class of the academy, entering UCCS in the fall. Ultimately the aim is to add five per year until the program grows to 20.
Two of those named to the academy, Kelly Whitley and Kevin McDowell of Geneva, Ill., were named USA Triathlon junior athletes of the year. Both came out of Dickson’s program and won medals last year at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
“Ever since I was young, I always dreamed about going off to college and going for triathlon,” McDowell said.
Also in the first academy class will be Ryan Bice of Logansport, Ind. Bice is transferring from CU-Boulder.
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
