Triathlon Ireland is pleased to announce a team of three triathletes have been selected by the Olympic Council of Ireland to compete in the first European Games to be held in Baku.
The inaugural games will consist of 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports and is set to take place between the 12th and 28th of July.
Representing Ireland at the triathlon events will be Aileen Reid (Derry) in the women’s event along with Russell White (Banbridge) and Aaron O’Brien (Limerick) in the men’s event.
The European Games Triathlon offers automatic Rio Olympic Qualification for the race winners, meaning Reid has the opportunity to secure her place well in advance if she were to win the event. The race is however likely to attract some of Europe’s top talent all looking to do the same. Reid is currently ranked 10th in the World Triathlon Series after a 7th place finish in Cape Town and her form looks to be improving as the weeks progress.
In the men’s race, Russell White and Aaron O’Brien have the opportunity to experience a big games environment and continue their development at the elite level.
White previously finished 23rd at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and has competed in the top tier World Triathlon Series. O’Brien also has international experience having finished 20th at the Junior World Championships in 2013 and last season the Limerick Triathlon Club member claimed the Standard Distance National Championship title.