Reasons for Nomination

Rob Barel, with a triathlon career spanning 18 years, including six Dutch National Championship titles, seven European Championship titles, the Nice Long-distance World Championship title in 1994 at the age of 40, four top five finishes at the Olympic-distance World Championship and two fourth place finishes at the Hawaii Ironman. Of the 245 triathlons competed, he has raced in 31 countries around the world and has won 113. Rob’s final competition was at the Netherlands 2000 Summer Olympics, securing forty third place, before taking retirement at the end of the Games at age 42.

Rob is now working as a marketing consultant, coaching in various capacities and to no surprise, still racing and training, albeit in a more low-key fashion. He recently finished first at the 2016 Snowy Mountains ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships, 20th place at the 2015 NED Triathlon National Championships, 35th at the 2014 Zittau ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships, first at the 2014 Sardinia ETU TNatura Cross Triathlon European Championships and secured fourth place at the 2012 Den Haag ETU Cross Triathlon European Championships.