Following the ITU Board’s decision at their recent Congress in Budapest, Sarah Springman, President of British Triathlon, commented: "The IOC (International Olympic Committee) has raised the flag of awareness about the importance of ensuring that sport minimises its environmental impact.

"The British Triathlon Major Events team, led by Ian, has been instrumental in ensuring our domestic and international events programme, including the 2010 GE Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships and the 2009 and 2010 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship London presented by Tata Steel, have assessed this and taken steps to minimise it.

"The ITU Sustainability Commission will benefit greatly from Ian’s experience and expertise and continue triathlon’s desire to become a leader on environmental issues in sport."

Despite holding an MSc in Pollution and Environmental Control from Manchester University, Braid has seldom been able to apply this knowledge within his career.

However, his new appointment now provides an ideal platform.

"Last year I represented the International Triathlon Union at a two-day workshop at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne on the environmental impact of events, which has re-awakened my interest and made me realise how sport could take a leading position in addressing the environmental challenges we face now and in the future." Braid said.

"It is exciting to now have the opportunity to combine my love of sport and concern for the environment to help the ITU in its ambition, as an Olympic sport, to take a lead position itself in determining and delivering best practice."

The appointment adds to an already flourishing network of British Triathlon board members, staff and other senior volunteers, working within the international sporting arena, as the current Sport Governing Body of the Year continues to expand its international influence.

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