Loreen Barnett’s triathlon story spans decades and continents, from the waters of those earliest races to the meeting rooms of its administrative bodies. The Canadian was there at triathlon’s inception and helped guide it through both its toughest times and its enormous successes, shaping the philosophy of inclusion and equality that are, and forever will remain, the sport’s hallmarks.Starting out in those swashbuckling first swim-bike-run events alongside a mix of adventurous enthusiasts and would-be world champions, Loreen went on to reach the highest echelons of the sport’s administration as Secretary General and then Vice President of triathlon’s world governing body, the then ITU. For three decades she worked with love and dedication for the betterment of triathlon, touching everybody that she has met along the way with her kindness, enthusiasm and firm determination.‘Firsts’ come naturally to pioneers like Loreen, but without such pioneers, triathlon simply would not be where it is today. She competed in Canada’s first triathlon in 1981, she was a founding member of Triathlon Canada, she helped develop the rules and regulations for the sport’s first Olympic appearance.Loreen became Secretary General at the XXI Congress, where Marisol Casado was also voted in as president, together underscoring the crucial role that women have played in our sport since day one. Today, she enters the World Triathlon Hall of Fame where her name will forever stand alongside some of the legends that she worked for and with, helping write the opening chapters of our great history.The 2023 World Triathlon Women’s Committee Award of Excellence award was presented during the World Triathlon Hall of Fame to Saudi Arabia’s Jude Jamjoom for her extraordinary efforts to drive triathlon, gender balance and equality in her region. The World Triathlon Women’s Committee Chair Tomoko Wada presented the Award of Excellence to Jude Jamboom with a heartfelt speech and overview of her achievements.