UK Sport has selected Chris Kitchen, British Triathlon Director for Performance to their International Leadership Programme. His selection highlights the continued growth of world class athletes, support staff and board members behind the current Sport Governing Body of the Year’s Olympic ambitions in London 2012.

Chris is also Chair of the ITU Long Distance Triathlon Commission and has been voted onto the ITU Multisport Committee, where he now acts as Chair in the coordination of duathlon, long distance triathlon, cross triathlon and aquathlon around the world.  A very pertinent role, with the 2010 GE Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships taking place in the Scottish capital this September.

Launched in 2006, the International Leadership Programme is part of UK Sport’s commitment to continuous improvement of world class personnel. The programme works with National Governing Bodies, who nominate strong candidates, whom they believe can help them increase their own presence, credibility and influence on the international stage.

Each year UK Sport select and develop up to 15 high-flying volunteers, equipping participants with the skills they need to become effective cross-cultural communicators able to operate successfully on the international stage.

Chris commented after receiving his selection: “I am delighted to have been selected as one of the introductions to this year’s International Leadership Programme and am really looking forward to the challenge. The calibre of my fellow participants is very high and I will have a lot to live up to.

“Although I have been involved at international level for many years now, I feel the programme will provide me with many more tools and a greater understanding of international matters. It will also provide an invaluable opportunity to learn from my colleagues experiences and be part of an impressive alumni network to the long term benefit of British Triathlon.”

British Triathlon President, Sarah Springman congratulated Chris on his appointment commenting: “I am absolutely delighted that Chris Kitchen has been selected out of a phenomenal field of national and international sports leaders to join in this extremely valuable programme. British Triathlon has always rated this opportunity as exceptional and is delighted that, following the participation last year by British Triathlon Directors Jem Lawson (also ETU Secretary General) and Tom Chambers (also ETU Development Committee member), we have again been successful in proposing a top candidate, who has won a spot against extremely strong competition!”