Europe Triathlon

• “Important nu e când începi, ci cât de departe poți ajunge.” - Klosz Péter (1970-2019)

• “What is important is not when you start, but how far you can get.”- Klosz Péter (1970-2019)

These words have been a guiding light for Péter and those who worked with him. His legacy has now been handed on to Vlad Stoica, who has dedicated his time to our sport for many years now, who has been the Vice-President of the Romanian Triathlon Federation (recently re-branded, “Triathlon Romania”) and who is the mastermind behind the hugely successful mass-participation event in Constanța. The H3RO by TriChallenge, is the biggest multi sport event in eastern-Europe and has featured on the ETU Calendar. Check out the race report for the last event.

In the immediate aftermath of the tragic death of  Péter, it was Vlad who was called upon to step up as interim head and it has been announced that he has now been unanimously elected to the role of President.

Having participated as a triathlete and, as a pretty impressive water-polo player, Vlad is all-too aware of the impact  Péter had on the sport and its massive growth in Romania under his leadership and guidance.

“Triathlon suffered a massive loss, since Péter Klosz, visionary and true engine of the development of the triathlon in Romania, left us. From that moment, all the members of the Federation came together, with the mission of continuity: we want to honour the work done by Péter Klosz and to keep Romania on the map of the essential international competitions - in this sense, the Cheile Grădiștei will host, again, the European Winter Triathlon Championships in 2020”, said Vlad Stoica, President, Romanian Triathlon Federation. There is also a great chance for the nation to have representation in Tokyo, which will really raise the profile of the sport.

ETU President, Renato Bertrandi, still quite shocked by the loss of  Péter had the following words of support for the newly-appointed president of Triathlon Romania, “Péter is a hard act to follow but I have been able to see a relatively small national federation grow in quite a short time due to the determination, teamwork and dedication of a group of people with one goal in mind; to deliver the sport as best they can to as many people as possible and to do so for the sport. European athletes have greatly benefited from the numerous races that have seen hundreds, in fact thousands of athletes travel there and to come away with great memories. ETU looks forwards to the continued co-operation with Triathlon Romania and I would like to wish Vlad and his team every success.”

As noted above, the first opportunity athletes will have to show their continued support for Triathlon Romania will be at the ETU Winter Triathlon European Championships, in  Cheile Grădiştei at the very end of February. There is still time to enter. Check out the race here.

For the full article, in Romanian, please click here.