How Tri-riffic was that?!?

A column by Wollongong's Lord Mayor, Councillor Tania Brown

I just can’t wipe the smile off my face!

Wollongong really turned it on for the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals with the people, the weather and the athletes all delivering the goods.

It was such a great celebration of sportsmanship, community engagement and Wollongong’s natural beauty.

In the lead up and throughout the event, I loved walking around Wollongong, talking to visitors and locals and seeing so many people enjoying themselves.

There was such a fascinating mix of people from across the world – not only in terms of athletes, but also their supporters, passionate triathlon fans and then community members keen to soak up the atmosphere of this global event.

Wednesday’s Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony was a lovely celebration of diversity and a shared passion for sport.

It was pretty extraordinary watching the athletes waving their national flags as they wound their way along Marine Drive and into the event hub in Lang Park. The Aussie contingent was certainly loud and proud!

At the Opening Ceremony, I was proud to welcome the participants to Wollongong and encouraged them to make the most of all the city has to offer beyond the competition itself.

We had a number of local competitors who gave their all in the competition and were certainly crowd favourites across the four days of competition. And all of us at Wollongong City Council were very proud of our two staff competitors, Nathan McBriarty and Sile Crowe - champion effort!

The incredible display of will and determination by the Para-triathletes was pure inspiration.

The future of the sport is in safe hands with a talented group of up-and-coming triathletes. They’re all so impressive, but that standing finish in the Womens U23 where Australian Richelle Hill claimed the title in the last 100 meters, was just amazing to watch. I can’t wait to see them grow and cheer them on at the Brisbane Olympics 2032.

And can we talk about that final race on Sunday! How good for Australian Matt Hauser to claim the Men’s World Series in front of a roaring home crowd. It’s the first time in 20 years an Aussie has done this. It was a thrilling and wonderful way to end four days of action.

Congratulations to all the competitors and newly crowned World Champions.

As the city returns to normal after this event, I’d like to thank all those who got behind the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong.

To those residents who had to change their daily routines to accommodate road closures I say a very sincere thank you.

To those businesses who had to change up their work practices, we acknowledge that is an additional layer on your already busy days and I thank you.

And to every single person who came along and showed how Wollongong loves a sporting event, thank you.

We’ve been working hard for many years to put Wollongong on the map when it comes to international sporting events and opportunities and the efforts are paying off.

From the UCI Road World Championships to the recent netball Diamonds Netball match at the WIN Entertainment Centre, the Australian Darts Masters and the Australian Junior Surfing Titles, we’re delivering the goods.

It’s an exciting time for Wollongong and I look forward to seeing what comes next.