The New Zealand Olympic Committee has named triathletes Brea Roderick (Christchurch) and Dylan McCullough (Auckland) to the New Zealand team for the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.
The athletes were selected following strong results in the youth division of the 2018 New Plymouth OTU Triathlon, which doubled as the Oceania Youth Olympic Games qualifying event. McCullough placed first at the event, with Roderick taking second in her division (but being the first placed New Zealander).
At the Youth Olympic Games the athletes will both compete in the individual event. They will also join Australian triathletes to form an Oceania team for the mixed team relay event.
Above: Dylan McCullough and Brea Roderick - photo credit ScottieT/ITU Media
17 year old McCullough has been racing for almost a decade and left school at the end of last year to focus on triathlon.
“I first got into the sport when I was around nine years old as my older brother was competing in triathlons.
“I’m inspired by the top triathletes in the world and having that motivation to hopefully be on the world stage where they are one day.”
16 year old Roderick, a student at Mount Hutt College, first experienced the sport at an interschool competition when she was 13.
“I love that you get to compete and train in three different disciplines, it's a lot of fun.”
New Zealand has a strong history in triathlon at the Youth Olympic Games with Aaron Barclay winning at Singapore 2010, and Daniel Hoy placing second four years later at Nanjing 2014. New Zealand athletes also combined with the Australian pair in the Mixed Relay Team Event to win silver in 2010 and bronze in 2014.
Triathlon New Zealand High Performance Director Mark Elliott extended his congratulations to the athletes on their selection.
“Both Brea and Dylan have shown significant improvements over the New Zealand summer to cement their nominations to represent New Zealand.
“They have shown great maturity in their racing and training and we have no doubt they’ll represent Triathlon NZ and the New Zealand Youth Olympic Games team with distinction at this event.”
The reserve athletes (non-travelling) for the event are Olivia Cummings (women’s triathlon event) and Reuben Thompson (men’s triathlon event).
The Youth Olympic Games run from 6–18 October 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Athlete Information
Brea Roderick
Christchurch triathlete Brea Roderick has competed at several International Triathlon Union events.
Roderick was part of the New Zealand team which placed first at the Australian U19 Mixed Team Relay championship in Adelaide in 2018.
The Mount Hutt College student will be attending the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic games at the age of 16.
Roderick has an ITU World Ranking of 530 (as at May 2018).
Dylan McCullough
Auckland triathlete Dylan McCullough has been selected to represent New Zealand at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic games at the age of 17.
Dylan recorded his best International Triathlon Union finish at the 2018 New Plymouth OTU Triathlon Oceania YOG Qualifier and Junior Oceania Championships where he finished first in the Youth Division and fourth overall in the Junior (under 19) Division.
McCullough attended St Kentigern College in Auckland and finished school (year 12) at the end of 2017.
McCullough has an ITU World Ranking of 435 (as at May 2018).
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