CBTri and the Future of Triathlon: Sandro Bernardoni at World Cup Rio
The CBTri president details the behind-the-scenes, challenges, and ambitions for the sport in Brazil, emphasizing the significance of the World Cup Rio.
In an exclusive interview, Sandro Bernardoni, president of CBTri, shares insights into the World Triathlon Cup Rio 2026. He discusses the development of the sport in Brazil, the nurturing of new talent, and support for Olympic athletes. This offers an in-depth look at the present and future of national triathlon.
During the coverage of the World Triathlon Cup Rio 2026, Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura of Stemma Sports spoke with Sandro Bernardoni, president of the Brazilian Triathlon Confederation (CBTri). The interview, conducted at the athletes' hotel, covered everything from the competition's return to Rio de Janeiro to plans and challenges for the development of national triathlon and support for elite athletes.
The World Cup's Return to Rio and the Global Scene
The World Triathlon Cup Rio marks a significant moment, returning to Rio de Janeiro after 30 years. This edition is extremely important as it serves as a crucial stage for athletes to earn important points for the Olympic race, comparing themselves against the global elite.
In addition to the competition, the event hosts meetings of the international triathlon board, where the future of the sport is debated and decided. Sandro Bernardoni highlighted recent changes, including the merger of T100 with Challenge and the implementation of a new calendar for 2027, requiring adaptation from all federations.
From the Surfboard to the Podium: Sandro Bernardoni's Personal Journey and the Triathlete Lifestyle
Interestingly, Sandro Bernardoni began his triathlon journey in an unusual way. In 1998, while watching an Ironman broadcast on TV – at the time, a surfer – he thought: "I think I can do that." From that moment, triathlon became a passion and a lifestyle that transformed his life. As president of CBTri, his goal is to foster this feeling, making triathletes proud of their sport, seeing it as a lifestyle that positively impacts family and society.
Behind the Scenes of Organization and CBTri's Support for Elite Athletes
The organization of a major event like the World Cup requires complex coordination. Sandro Bernardoni emphasized the crucial support of Virgílio, an athlete and influential figure in Rio de Janeiro, who assisted in interacting with the local community. The confederation aims to be an ally of the city, minimizing the inevitable impacts that an event of this magnitude can have on residents' daily lives.
Talent Development and Support
The main focus of CBTri, while aiming to develop triathlon generally, is directed towards Olympic athletes, due to resources primarily from the COB (Brazilian Olympic Committee), largely sourced from lotteries. These resources are tied to results, with strong performance in international competitions positively impacting the confederation's budget. CBTri offers comprehensive support to A-team athletes, such as Miguel, Messias, Jennifer, and Vitória, covering accommodation, airfare, and transportation for international competitions, in addition to having a dedicated support team behind the scenes. This structure aims to ensure athletes can focus solely on their performance.
Sandro Bernardoni mentioned the importance of figures like Laporta, former CBTri president and current COB president (after a dispute with Paulo Wanderley), who, due to his background in triathlon, understands the needs of the sport. He also highlighted the challenges in managing scarce resources and the need for planning for unforeseen situations, such as athlete injuries, which have already impacted the team's participation in events like the Team Relay.
An Inspiring Legacy: Connecting Grassroots to High Performance
Sandro Bernardoni's dreams for Brazilian triathlon are manifold. He aims to strengthen the triathlete's identity, develop regional cups (North, Northeast, Central-West, Southeast) to boost the sport's growth in all regions, and connect triathlon schools (like Juraci's 43 and others spread across Brazil) to high performance. The goal is to create a mapping system to discover new talents like Messias, Miguel, Jennifer, and Vitória, knowing that the development of an Olympic athlete takes 8 to 12 years.
Sandro further emphasizes the importance of an "ecosport", an environment where all involved parties – from coaches and advisors to bike shops and the media – communicate and develop together. The success of one is the success of many, and this collaboration is one of the legacies the CBTri president aims to leave for the sport.
The future of Brazilian triathlon, under the management of Sandro Bernardoni, appears focused on identity, regional development, talent formation, and the collaboration of all stakeholders for the sport to continue to grow and inspire new generations. It is an invitation for the community to continue closely following this journey.