We Got Our Tan in Sportestan!!

An Iranian Makes History in Triathlon Sport


Arsalan at the finish line

Is Triathlon in the 2000 Sydney Olympic?

Yes. In the next Olympic Games in the year 2000 to be held in Sydney, Australia, the sport of Triathlon will be a competition event for the first time in the history of these games. I am certain that several of the athletes against whom I competed in Cleveland will be representing their home countries in the 2000 Olympiad.

Do you plan to participate?

This is my long-term plan. It will be a dream fulfilled to represent Iran in the Triathlon Olympics. I hope to represent Iran in these games with other Iranians who are willing to join me in my efforts. This, however, will be a major crusade.

Aside from the constant training necessary to be in proper physical condition for competition, we are also required to establish a professional relationship and a good rapport with the Iranian National Olympic Committee, as well as Iran Physical Education Organization (Sazeman-e Tarbiyat Badani).

What are your goals right now?

I currently have three goals as follows:

1- To expand my effort to include as many members as possible. I am looking for athletes of all ages, especially those in their late teens and early twenties with many years of competition and energy in them. This does not mean that older athletes are not sought or welcomed. It should be noted that triathlons are entered and awarded in age groups. Older athletes are just as likely to win awards in their age groups as younger ones. The oldest age group in triathlons is the 90-95-year old category, and believe me there are competitors in it! That goes to show you the extent of people's interest and involvement in this sport regardless of age.


Finishing swimming section		 As the great late Green Bay Packers head football coach said once "Winning isn't everything." This is true in any sport, triathlon included. It is the spirit of competition, camaraderie, training, working and racing together; the sense of accomplishment; and the honor of representing our country regardless of geography that really matters.

2- To participate in the 1997 ITU Triathlon Championship race in Perth, Australia. I am looking for the newly expanded team to be prepared, properly trained and ready for competition in this event. We all will be representing Iran again.

3- Finally, our big dream should be to represent Iran in the sport of triathlon in the 2000 Olympic in Sydney, Australia. This requires the establishment of a dialogue with the Iranian sport apparatus, specifically speaking, the Iranian National Olympic Committee and the Iranian Physical Education Organization.

Are you interested in helping young Iranians master this sport?

Although I work full-time and have other recurring obligations and responsibilities such as training and family, I am still willing to share my experience in this sport and assist other Iranian athletes. I encourage anyone with interest to contact me via e-mail. I can assist interested individuals in starting a training program, shop for a bicycle, advise them on which races to enter and what to expect.

If the individual happens to live in the Washington, DC area, we can even train together, provide necessary advice and enter the same races. Unfortunately, at this time I am not able to provide a full-time training program to support potential athletes, but with time and effort anything is possible.

Who is funding/sponsoring you?

Since I started competing in triathlons, every single race has been funded with personal finances. My bicycle, running shoes and all of the other necessary tools have also be financed by myself, including the occasional trips to other race sites.

What would you like to say to the Iranians out there who read this article?


Carrying the Iranian Flag in Downtown Cleveland, August 96		 First and foremost, we should seek to gain exposure and promote the sport of triathlon in the Iranian community. The best methods of achieving this goal are by word of mouth, an article in an Iranian website, a newsletter, magazine or publication, or a mention on an Iranian TV or radio program. I seek athletes of different ages to join me in this effort to make a recognizable and respectable team. These athletes will have to participate in several nationally known triathlons.

I also seek people who have connections with the Iranian government, especially with its Physical Education Organization and the Iranian National Olympic Committee, to pave the road in fulfilling our long-term objective - the Sydney Olympic.

And last, we seek sponsors to help us achieve our goals, make our dreams come true, make our team better known in the Iranian and triathlon communities, and make our country known in the world in more positive ways. After all, I am certain we all appreciate having a popular sport associated with our country just like the days of Mohammad Nassiri in weightlifting and Jahan Pahlevan Takhti and Mansour Barzegar in wrestling.

What is your commitment to the Iranian community?

We promise to compete in national and international events with dignity, and abide by all ethical, technical and legal rules and regulations. We promise to make this sport grow in the Iranian community with everything in our power that can be reasonably obtained or achieved. We also promise to make further arrangements with our financial supporters to display their company or business logos on our team uniforms, if applicable. Finally, we promise to do our best to make Iran and the Iranian community proud.

Thank you in advance for your support of our efforts as we look forward to a better and brighter future in the sport of triathlon. See you in Perth and Sydney!!

Page 1 (Interview) -- Page 2 (Continued) -- Page 3 (General Information)

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