COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The USA Triathlon Foundation today announced that 2004 U.S. Olympian and decorated long course triathlete Andy Potts will serve as a Professional Athlete Ambassador to the Foundation for the 2021 season and beyond.

In his role as an Ambassador, Potts will focus on raising awareness for the mission of the USA Triathlon Foundation, which is to transform lives through sport by opening pathways for all to swim, bike and run. Through event appearances, donor stewardship, social media engagement and other outreach activities, Potts will help expand recognition and support for the Foundation throughout the multisport community.

Potts was an NCAA Division I swimmer at the University of Michigan and placed fourth at the 1996 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in the 400m individual medley. He began racing triathlon competitively after college as a short-course, draft-legal specialist on the International Triathlon Union (now World Triathlon) circuit. He represented Team USA in triathlon at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and three years later won gold at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. He was named Athlete of the Year four times by USA Triathlon.

Potts gravitated to long course racing after the Olympics and has since become one of the United States’ most decorated professional triathletes, with 30 IRONMAN 70.3 wins and eight IRONMAN wins to his name. Potts won the 2007 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship and placed fourth at the 2014 and 2015 IRONMAN World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. He is also a USA Triathlon Certified Coach and founder of Andy Potts Racing.

In addition to his personal racing pursuits, Potts has also served as a sighted guide for Kyle Coon, a visually impaired U.S. elite paratriathlete and hopeful for this summer’s Tokyo Paralympic Games.

“I love our sport, our triathlon family and all of the opportunities it creates for people,” Potts said. “The benefits of daily exercise, community and friendship that triathlon creates can lead to lifelong lessons and memories. For my entire career, my goal has been to provide accessibility to our sport for all types of people, and I am so excited to partner with the USA Triathlon Foundation to continue that mission with them.”

“The USA Triathlon Foundation is honored to have Andy Potts as an Ambassador, and we look forward to working with him in 2021 to transform lives through sport,” said David Deschenes, USA Triathlon Foundation Executive Director. “Andy’s dedication and passion for triathlon, combined with his enthusiasm for giving back to the sport through coaching and philanthropy, make him a perfect fit for this role. We can’t wait to reintroduce Andy to our community in a whole new way, and we know he will inspire others to give back in the process.”

Potts plans to attend the Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships, set for Aug. 6-7 in Milwaukee, where he will take part in a USA Triathlon Foundation Meet & Greet with donors. He will also attend a 2021 USA Triathlon Foundation Fantasy Camp and the Foundation’s annual gala.

Potts will also promote the Foundation with branding on his professional race uniform and appearances in marketing and communications appeals for various Foundation initiatives throughout the year.

In addition to Potts, the USA Triathlon Foundation also works with three elite athletes as captains of the USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador Team powered by Newton Running: 2016 U.S. Olympian Joe Maloy, 2016 U.S. Paralympic gold medalist Grace Norman and elite development paratriathlete Michael Smith.

To learn more about the USA Triathlon Foundation and the programs it supports, or to make a donation, visit usatriathlonfoundation.org.

About the USA Triathlon Foundation
The USA Triathlon Foundation was created in 2014 by the USA Triathlon Board of Directors as an independent tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity. Under the leadership of its Trustees and Committee members, the Foundation serves as a means to create a healthier America through triathlon and seeks to transform lives by opening up new pathways to the sport for all, especially those who are otherwise underserved. The USA Triathlon Foundation operates with the belief that every child should have the chance to participate, every paratriathlete should have the opportunity to compete, and every aspiring elite athlete should be able to chase his or her Olympic dream. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $1.9 million has been provided to worthy causes and organizations that support its mission. Donations to the USA Triathlon Foundation ensure America's youth are introduced to the benefits and fun of a multisport lifestyle, athletes with disabilities receive the training, support and gear to be able to participate and excel, and the best aspiring young athletes have a chance to pursue their Olympic Dreams. Visit usatriathlonfoundation.org to learn more and donate today.

About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,000 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of World Triathlon and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

2004 U.S. Olympic Triathlete and IRONMAN Champion Andy Potts Named Ambassador for USA Triathlon Foundation

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