USA Triathlon gets hammered by athletes over new membership fees

Athletes lash out over new national team membership tier for age group competitors

Photo by: Kevin Mackinnon

Kevin Mackinnon January 18, 2024

After announcing a new “tiered membership structure tailored to incorporate each athlete’s individual needs and goals,” USA Triathlon has received lots of criticism from its membership.

The new tiered system includes four levels of membership. Bronze is a one-day membership that varies in price $6 for a relay up to $23 for a long-distance or ultra event. A silver membership ($60) offers unlimited racing, while the gold membership ($99) offers the same with added USA Triathlon benefits including a printed magazine, a Zone3 swim buoy and goggles, along with priority check in at USA Triathlon races. The final tier, platinum ($400), offers “unlimited racing and premium benefits” including a gift valued at over $100, exclusive VIP experiences and the “opportunity to compete internationally with Team USA.”

That last benefit is an important one – what has got many of the USA Triathlon members riled up is that the platinum membership is required to compete for the USA at world championship events. That’s in addition to the mandatory team uniform fee, along with entry, travel and accommodations to the events.

Financial difficulties

USA Triathlon is no-doubt looking to raise fees this year in hopes of reducing the huge financial struggles it has been dealing with for the past few years. According to documents posted on the federation’s website, it lost $2.9 million in 2022 and $1.8 million in 2021. Expenses can’t be looking much better in 2024 heading into an Olympic year, either.

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While athletes are sympathetic to the financial straits, and certainly support the national team athletes gearing up for Paris, many are disappointed that USA Triathlon is trying to recoup funds through age group athletes heading to world championship events. The timing of the announcement upset many athletes, too.

“I’m so disappointed in this change,” Stacie Cornaire commented on Facebook. “The sport is already expensive and choosing to race with Team USA is an added expense. We already pay for our own travel, lodging, and apparel. This feels like a complete money grab with timing of announcement only 2 days after qualifying members had to accept their spot for Team USA.”

“I accepted my spot based on the list of expectations of cost and being required to upgrade my membership was not one of them,” Cornaire continued. “The perks we now get with the membership at races where already listed as available to us before the fee. Even if they were new items there not worth the fee your charging. I was proud and excited before this week but will never choose to race for team USA again after this year.”

“Most of us making comments on this announcement have competed at multiple National and World Championships events for many years,” wrote Kevin Elmore. “As we all know, this was never an inexpesive venture, and quite honestly I think it is insulting to take advantage of this group of highly competitve athletes that have represented the USA proudly over the years.”

“It no longer feels like we’re a part of something special,” Cindy Abrami wrote. “It feels like we’re being used mainly for fund-raising. I am SO bummed.”

“If your goal is to KILL the sport, this is an excellent first (and potentially final) step…” wrote Michael Bowers.