By Ayisha Gulati
Sam Laidlow believes the T100 World Triathlon Tour is the perfect opportunity to ‘make triathlon cool’.
After becoming the Ironman World Champion last year on home soil in France, he has ambitions to retain his world title in October.
He hopes the T100 London will help him get a step closer to this ambition and believes the series is a brilliant vessel to inspire kids to take up the sport.
“We don’t quite realise the impact this series could have yet,” the 25-year-old said. “Great things take time, but I think kids will be watching T100 races and dreaming of winning them.
“When i was growing up, I wasn’t sure i could make money out of the sport, so it’s great to make our job look cool and try to make kinds want to do the sport.
“Kids want to play football because they see Ronaldo driving around in a Ferrari or they see a boxer wearing a fancy jacket.
“On paper, triathlon can be a bit boring so trying to show a good image of the sport is something that’s really important to me and the T100 is helping make the sport more exciting.”
The T100 Triathlon World Tour 2024 features 40 contracted athletes competing in eight events around the world in a 100km triathlon distance.
London is the fourth event, with Miami, Singapore and San Francisco completed and Ibiza, Las Vegas, Dubai, and a Grand Final in the Middle East still to come.
Having completed his first triathlon aged four, Ludlow has been involved in the sport for 21 years.
Last year saw him win Challenge London as well as the Ironman World Championships, but he knows Sunday’s race will be a hard contest.
“Winning the Ironman was a lifelong dream of mine and to do it in France was special,” he said.
“This year has been difficult a slow start after achieving that as you’re almost trying to find a new purpose.
“My main goal is to keep my world title in October so I’m building up towards that and hopefully Sudnay will be a step in the right direction.
“I feel good and it’s good to be back in London. I won Challenge London last year but now the field is stronger because it’s the 20 best guys in the world so it’s exciting.
“It sounds unlike me to say that but given the current field I’d be really happy to have a solid race and come fifth.
“It’s getting tougher and tougher because T100 is where the sport is being pushed so we’ve seen a significant improvement.”
Ludlow knows the impact the crowd can have on the sport and the importance of racing in iconic cities such as London.
“With Alistair [Brownlee] winning the Olympics in 2012, Triathlon is well integrated in the country but to have a main event here is really key to maintain that for the future,” he added.
“Hopefully, we can grow the sport beyond hardcore triathlon fans and crowds make a big difference.
“The best events in the world, a huge credit goes to the crowds who show up.”
The first London T100 Triathlon weekend on 27-28 July is entirely free for spectators and includes a dedicated T100 Watch Party venue at the ExCel London Exhibition Centre for the very first time. Where fans will be able to see the world’s best triathletes come past at least 10 times during the 100km race format (2km swim, 80km run, 18 km swim). As well as being able to follow them live, out on the course, thanks to a big screen.
