Posted: January 15, 2004

Triathlon: USA Triathlon Board Accepts Executive Director's Resignation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 12, 2004) - The USA Triathlon Board of Directors accepted the surprise resignation of Executive Director Steve Locke on Monday.

"The Board of Directors of USA Triathlon has accepted the immediate resignation of Steve Locke, the executive director. The Board wishes Mr. Locke all the best in his future endeavors," said USA Triathlon Board of Directors President Valerie Ellsworth Gattis.

"The Board will appoint an interim executive director to manage USAT's day-to-day activities and obligations and will engage an executive search firm to find a permanent executive director. The Board anticipates no disruption of any of USAT's activities."

Locke announced his resignation on Monday, citing disagreement with the organization's Board of Directors and continuing health problems. Locke was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2003.

Locke became executive director of Triathlon Federation USA (now USA Triathlon) in 1991. At that time, the organization sanctioned approximately 375 events and had a membership of 11,000. In 2003, the organization sanctioned more than 900 events and has an annual membership of more than 47,000. Its budget is more than $5 million.

During Locke's tenure, the sport of triathlon was admitted to the Pan American Games, and then into the Olympic Games.

"Steve Locke is leaving the organization in a much better state than when he came to it," said B.J. Hoeptner Evans, communications and media relations manager. "The USA Triathlon staff was stunned when he made his announcement. However, it will be business as usual at the USA Triathlon national office."

from USAtriathlon.org.