Spirit of Triathlon awards for popular Athlone duo

Athlone Triathlon Club duo Michael Macken and Olivia McCartin have been honoured with Spirit of Triathlon awards.

Triathlon Ireland said both Olivia and Michael “have displayed huge amounts of resilience and community spirit through their response to the Covid-19 pandemic by helping their club members stay connected and by providing them with the opportunity to achieve their goals”.

This is the first time that the award has been jointly awarded and, naturally, the Athlone club is very proud to see two of their most prominent members and coaches recognised.

The Spirit of Triathlon award recognises individuals who illustrate the positive spirit of the sport as displayed through acts of sportsmanship and leadership, with no deference to athletic ability.

Noting that this award was inaugurated in 2017, Triathlon Ireland CEO Darren Coombes said that Olivia and Michael “now join a list of really remarkable recipients who have massively impacted the sport”.

“In particular, given the difficult year experienced by society, the sport was dependent on people like you to inspire others to remain involved and engaged - your members, club and Governing Body owe you a huge debt of gratitude,” he said.

Michael and Olivia received numerous nominations, both individually and jointly, from members of their club and community. The nominations reflect the difference they have made to the members of their club, both young and old, over the past year in particular.

As club coach, Michael (also known to many in Athlone as Mick) has been outstanding in bringing the club together, creating and running Covid-19 compliant club events and reaching out to club members who may feel isolated. An accomplished triathlete and duathlete, and a coach with decades of experience, Michael ensures that club training remains inclusive and fun for all abilities.

Leitrim native Olivia has made a huge impact on club members with her selfless attitude, with one of her nominations stating that she is “at the heart of everything we do as a club”.

Always available to lend a hand and one of the first point of contacts for new club members, Olivia is also one of Triathlon Ireland’s Beyond the Finish Line advocates.

This year, Olivia got huge satisfaction from being part of the ‘Get Men Moving’ programme she organised in Athlone TC.

“It’s not only about the sport, it’s about fostering great friendships and we’re like a little community and to me that’s what it’s all about. It’s about encouraging people to do a sport that I love and seeing them getting a huge reward out of it, that’s what gives me a buzz,” said Olivia.

Having fun is at the heart of everything for both Michael and Olivia. “I’m a serious athlete and I’m a serious coach, and Olivia’s a serious athlete and becoming a serious coach and building her experience,” said Michael.

Although serious about the sport of triathlon, Michael is also keen to ensure fun and enjoyment are part of the package.

“Keeping it (training) as their hobby is really important to us, not treating people like they are elite athletes or treating people like it is their job. It’s their hobby, it’s their outlet and everyone wants to do better and get better, but the important thing is that it’s their hobby and it’s fun.”

This year has been a challenge for all clubs, and Athlone TC adapted quickly from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic by running a series of club training events throughout the year. From aquathons and duathlons, to 10k runs and training middle distance events as well as junior aquathon leagues, the club had a very busy year.

As Olivia explains: “We had our own little inclusive events, we had duathlons and aquathons, and we included the juniors in all the events we did as well.”

Michael added: “By the end of the year, we didn’t feel like we missed out on anything.”

Asked what the ‘Spirit of Triathlon’ award means, Michael recalled that he did his first triathlon back in 1988, but his passion for the sport is still very evident.

“It seems like a lifetime ago. I’m still at it because I love it and that’s pretty obvious. For me it’s almost become part of my identity and it’s a real cultural thing. I’ve met lovely people, I’ve worked with lovely people and that for me is what it’s all about. Even though I race myself at a high level, I still love the fun of it,” said Michael.

“To get something like that after 33 years is just such a lovely feel-good thing. It’s actually quite emotional because I’ve never done anything for any other reward except the reward of doing what I do and loving what I do so it’s a lovely acknowledgement. I don’t have a coaching business, but I love coaching people because I feel like I’m helping them as opposed to doing it because it’s a job or role.

“So I suppose it’s like any of us loves to be acknowledged that you’ve done something for a good reason. That for me is what it’s all about. I feel that spirit of triathlon and I feel that spirit of friendship, of being part of something that’s wonderful. So it’s a lovely surprise and not one I ever thought I’d get,” he added.

Olivia said: “I guess for me it’s a ‘thank you’ from our club-mates for what we’ve done for them. I kind of feel this is more for the club than for me because without the guys in the club, we wouldn’t have this and I really mean it when I say they are a great, great bunch, both young and old because we have a great mix.

"For me, I suppose I kind of consider myself new to triathlon; it’s a sport I took up in 2012. I always go back to the fact that I couldn’t swim and I was petrified of the open water. I just love encouraging people to get involved in it and I love to see people that couldn’t swim or were petrified to swim getting out there and getting into the open water and I love to see the buzz they get from it. The more people I can encourage to do that, the more I will.”

This year, the work of Olivia McCartin and Michael Macken has changed the lives of their club-mates during an incredibly tough time for everyone, and this has been fittingly recognised by Triathlon Ireland.