21 October 2025 Apia Samoa. Triathlon Samoa Executive Board member, Lani Young has been appointed to the World Triathlon Commission for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
The announcement was made by Triathlon Samoa and the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) in a press release.
The historic appointment marks the first time a Samoan will serve on a Commission of the world governing body for the sport of triathlon.
The seven member Commission is chaired by Ireland’s Bernard Hanratty and includes Eli Adjavon from Togo, Megan Zablock of USA, Garth McIntyre from Barbados, Hadis Nasr Azadani of Iran, and Thu Phuong Nguyen of Vietnam.
The DEI Commission advises the World Triathlon Executive Board and Congress.
The DEI Commission’s purpose is to ensure fair and equal treatment and opportunity for all individuals, regardless of gender, race, origin, or ability, by advising on and influencing decisions and policies within the sport.
As a long serving gender equality advocate in Samoa and the Pacific region, Lani Young would bring a unique Pasefika view and insights to the Commission.
Young is an Executive Board member for Triathlon Samoa. She is also the Vice-President of the Oceania Triathlon Confederation.
Since the new Oceania Board’s election in November 2024, Young has been part of the team that has ushered in key initiatives for developing triathlon in the Pacific including the establishment of an East and West Hub with two Regional Development Co-ordinators.
At the recent Congress held in Wollongong Australia last week, an upcoming series of Regional Development Cup Races was also announced with the first event scheduled for December, hosted by Fiji.
In 2026 Guam and Tahiti will host, with Samoa and Papua New Guinea next on the calendar.
Athletes will be able to earn points at these Regional Cups that go toward their World Triathlon athlete ranking.
Young said, “This opens an exciting doorway for our Pacific athletes and I’m proud to be part of making this happen..
“For so many years triathletes in the region could only race ‘internationally’ once every 4 years at the Pacific Games. Now we will have races at least twice a year with travel and accommodation fully funded for two athletes and a coach from every island country.”
Young says the Cup races will also be held alongside Development Camps that will host workshops and training sessions for both athletes and coaches.
Lani Young has been instrumental in the reforms to the sport in recent years, setting up a new registered incorporated administrative body to govern Triathlon in Samoa.
The move to clean up the sport’s governance structures and appoint an Executive Board focused on athlete development has brought positive results for Triathlon Samoa.
Manamea Schwalger has recently made history as the first woman from Samoa to race at a Triathlon World Champs.
The 19-year-old has done her country proud, placed 52nd in the world having participated at the 2025 Age Group World Tri Championship in Wollongong Australia.
Schwalger’s race included a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run.
“As Captain of our National Team, Athlete Representative on the Triathlon Samoa Executive Board, and advocate for her fellow athletes, she leads by example. Her debut on the World Triathlon stage and the first time for any woman to represent Samoa at an Age Group Triathlon World Champs – we look forward to many more international races for this young athletes,” said Lani Young.
Darren Young also competed at the World Triathlon Championships and achieved 32nd place in the 55-59 age group of the World Champs. Darren Young continues to set an inspirational example for not just Triathlon and Marathon runners, but for all athletes.
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