USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Rosalind Jarrett Sepulveda and Husband Lamar Sepulveda Donate Major Gift to Support High Performance Athletes
by USA Triathlon
Thanks to a major gift made to the USA Triathlon Foundation, USA Triathlon’s High Performance athletes, including Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls will continue to be able to train and race at the highest levels.
Rosalind Jarrett Sepulveda and her husband, Lamar Sepulveda, are longtime triathletes and Rosalind is currently a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador. Rosalind was first introduced to multisport after her doctor was concerned about ongoing health issues. In 2002, at age 54, she found her way to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team and Training Program and fell in love with the energy of the triathlon coaches. Her first race was the Treasure Island Olympic Tri, and soon after, she joined the LA Tri Club.
Rosalind continues to race for age group Team USA and is currently training for the 2024 Duathlon Sprint World Championships in Townsville, Australia and the 2024 Triathlon Sprint and Mixed Relay Triathlon World Championships in Malaga, Spain.
In addition to their major gift, Rosalind and Lamar continue to raise money for the USA Triathlon Foundation through the CEO Excellence Fund so they can support other areas to grow the sport. They have also graciously included the Foundation in their estate planning so funds will be available in perpetuity.
In this Q&A, Rosalind shares her journey to the sport of triathlon, her commitment to transforming lives through sport and encourages others to dedicate their passion for the sport as a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.
How has triathlon helped shape other areas of your life?
As I child I never excelled at sports and had little confidence in my physical abilities. Before competing in triathlons, I never considered myself an athlete. The drive to train, to eat well to fuel my training and the pride in completing races translated into a desire to live a healthy lifestyle and to reach beyond my limits. The camaraderie I found in my local tri club and among national and international triathletes has given me so much joy. I not only fell in love with triathlon, but also with fellow triathlete, six-time Ironman finisher and founder of the “Pay It Forward” Challenge, Lamar Sepulveda!
How were you introduced to the USA Triathlon Foundation?
Philanthropy has been an important part of my life for many years. In 2012 at an ITU (now World Triathlon) race in San Diego, I asked Team USA’s and USA Triathlon’s legendary Tim Yount whether USA Triathlon had a charitable arm. He assured me that something was in the works. I was glad to see that a Foundation had formed in 2014, but my charitable giving was focused elsewhere. In 2019, I happened upon both the Ambassador program and the Foundation’s three pillars and became determined to become a part of that mission and part of that Ambassador program.
Why did you choose to support the USA Triathlon Foundation?
Encouraging youth involvement in multisport activities, inspiring access to training and racing for people of every age, physical ability, demographic, economic and social background and through economic support igniting the dream to compete on the world stage for our nation’s best triathletes and paratriathletes—these are the Foundation’s three pillars. This mission deeply aligns with my own passion to see more people experience the exhilaration and sense of accomplishment I have felt participating in multisport events.
What do you think is important for other athletes and potential supporters to know about the USA Triathlon Foundation?
The Foundation is devoted to giving people empowering opportunities to participate in swimming, biking, and running activities and to race in the many different permutations of multisport. I truly believe that participating in athletic activities will lead to a healthier America.
One of my favorite Foundation initiatives has been its annual Training Camp where age groupers live and train like an Olympian or Paralympian. I’ve participated for the past two years and have already signed up for the 2024 Training Camp at the Olympic & Paralympic Training site in Chula Vista, California. The coaches are well renowned, the campers are passionate about our sport and the Foundation, and the skills I’ve learned have proved time again to be of benefit on the course.
How is the Ambassador program important to the USA Triathlon Foundation’s mission?
I’m now in my fourth year as an Ambassador. Throughout the program I’ve met so many wonderful athletes who are looking to reach beyond their limits, both on a personal level and to serve others. Ambassadors are empowered to reach out into their communities to introduce the Foundation’s mission and the benefits of multisport. Their fundraising on a grassroots level enables the Foundation to give more grants to multisport programs that can touch and change more lives.
What impact have you been able to make as the Ambassador leadership team chair in 2023?
I hope that I have motivated members of the Ambassador Team to be our spokespersons and to hold fundraisers in their communities as well as carrying the Foundation’s message to their friends and families. Our 2023 Team has already raised a record $100,000 and has been present at many local and national events. I hope their vital work this year will inspire the 2024 Team to continue and even surpass their efforts.
Join the USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Team
Made up of multisport athletes who have a passion for giving back to their communities, the USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Team embodies the goals of the USA Triathlon Foundation: to support and promote the virtues of triathlon, and to open pathways for all to swim, bike, and run. The 2023 USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Team set program records, having the largest team to date and surpassing $100,000 in fundraising.
To learn more details about the Ambassador Team program, visit the USA Triathlon Foundation webpage here. To apply for the 2024 USA Triathlon Foundation ambassador team, click here.
About the USA Triathlon Foundation
The USA Triathlon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of USA Triathlon. With its mission to transform lives through sport by providing opportunities to swim, bike and run, the Foundation serves to generate a greater impact on the multisport community through charitable giveback and grants that advance the Foundation’s three pillars: (1) Encourage youth participation; (2) Inspire pathways to access and inclusion; and (3) Ignite Olympic/Paralympic dreams. Since the Foundation was established in 2014, it has impacted the lives of thousands by providing grants to organizations and individuals in pursuit of its mission and pillars to create a healthier United States through triathlon. To learn more about the Foundation and get involved, please visit www.usatriathlon.org/foundation.