Triathlon: Hamish Carter named in ITU Hall of Fame

Hamish Carter. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Olympic gold medalist Hamish Carter has been included in the list of inductees into the ITU Hall of Fame.

The official induction will occur at the upcoming ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago

Carter is one of just seven to be added to the Hall of Fame and will attend the ceremony in Chicago where he will be officially welcomed into a very exclusive club of former athletes.

"It is pretty cool, I knew a couple of days ago", said a typically laid back Carter.

"It is a funny thing, these things never drive you to do the sport, but equally when you have had ten years away from the sport it is nice to be recognized and although a Hall of Fame sounds a bit odd - whether it is famous people or not, it is recognition from the sport I focused on and loved.

"It is a real honour and you think about the others who will be inducted, I raced against them week in week out and I have huge respect for them as well, it is nice to be included amongst them.

"It feels like another lifetime ago when I was an athlete, for me though the sport was going through huge change, right through my career. I started in a non-drafting sport and finished in a drafting mode and then it became an Olympic sport and also was at the Commonwealth Games. I think across that period you had to adapt and change to the styles and elements of racing so thinking of my career the success I had came down to my ability to adapt and change with the sport - and to consistently perform and respond well in the tough times - Sydney to Athens was a defining time in my career."

Carter was quick to point to others who should share in his news.

"I had amazing people to work with, I would like to dedicate this news today to the late Jack Ralston who developed me as an athlete for 15 years before the Sydney Olympics, he was a huge part of my career. It is sad he can't be here but he was an amazing guy who shaped so many athletes, it is nice to remember him at this time as well.

"There are a ton of other people behind my success like Chris Pilone, Mark Bone and the role that my wife Marisa and training partners all played. Success is never achieved on your own, I had a huge team behind me, people like Roger Mortimer who had a massive part to play. So many people but at times like this I need to try and remember them all."

Carter has since his racing days played a continued role in the development of the sport in New Zealand, acting in various roles from mentor to advisor to commentator, inspiring those looking to reach the top level of the sport.