Nominations now being taken for 2023 Team Cecilia Spirit of Multisport Award

Nominations are now being taken for an award which seeks to recognize individuals who exemplify the positive spirit of the sport of triathlon through acts of sportsmanship, leadership, and their efforts to grow a more diverse and inclusive multisport field.

The Team Cecilia Spirit of Multisport Award is named after Cecilia Niemann, a young triathlete from Overland Park with cerebral palsy, who participated in at least three Shawnee Mission triathlons between 2013 and 2019. Niemann died in late January 2022, just two weeks before her 18th birthday.

The first Team Cecilia Spirit of Multisport Award was presented following the 38th annual Shawnee Mission Triathlon & Duathlon in July 2022 to Josh Wolf of Lenexa and Angela Viehland of Kansas City, Mo.

Nominations for the 2023 award can be submitted until June 30 using the form available at JCPRD.com/1904/The-Team-Cecilia-Spirit-of-Multisport-Aw. From the applications received, the Shawnee Mission Triathlon & Duathlon Committee will select one annual award winner and up to two honorable mentions. Nominees do not have to be current or past participants in the Shawnee Mission Triathlon & Duathlon.

As listed in the eligibility requirements, nominees should display the following characteristics, supported by examples within the application. Nominees must encompass principles of good sportsmanship with regard to other competitors and persons involved in the Kansas City multisport community such as: dependability, integrity, character, inclusivity, and respect. Nominees must demonstrate exceptional involvement and leadership in the Kansas City multisport community with regard to furthering diversity and inclusion in the sport. Nominees must exemplify an unwavering passion for the multisport lifestyle.

The winner of the 2023 award will be recognized at this year’s Shawnee Mission Triathlon & Duathlon on July 9. As the longest-running event in the metro area, this event offers course options for athletes ranging in experience from first-timer to the seasoned veteran: Super Sprint Triathlon, Short Course Triathlon, Long Course Triathlon, and Olympic Triathlon and Duathlon. The 2023 Shawnee Mission Triathlon & Duathlon is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event, and will also serve as the USA Triathlon State Championship event for the second consecutive year. The triathlon portion of the event has again been designated by the USA Triathlon Paratriathlon Committee as Paratriathlon Friendly. For more information about this year’s event, go to JCPRD.com/194/Shawnee-Mission-Triathlon-and-Duathlon.