In Support of Sam Laidlow's Future 23

This year at the IRONMAN World Championship, I’m racing for more than just a result.

Whatever prize money I earn in Kona, I’m giving it all away.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to reach a point in my career where I have amazing sponsors supporting me and allowing me to do what I love every day.

But I also remember being the kid with a dream.

The kid who wanted to become a world champion, who believed he could make it to the top, but who needed people around him to believe in that dream too.

So I want to give something back to the next generation.

23 young athletes.

23 has always been my lucky number, so I’m going to choose 23 up-and-coming athletes between the ages of 10 and 16 and share my Kona prize money equally between them.

To apply, you need to be a triathlete, or compete in at least one of the three sports that make up triathlon: swimming, cycling or running.

It doesn’t matter where you come from or how good you are right now.

I want to hear about you.

Tell me what your dream is.
Why you love your sport.
What you’re working towards.
And what a little bit of support could help you achieve.

Most importantly, I want the message to come from you, not a perfectly written application.

Send me a personal email (@….) telling me your story. If you don’t have your own email address, you can of course use a parent’s email and either write the message yourself or have them help you.

I’ll personally go through the emails and choose the 23 athletes I want to support.

Of course, earning prize money at a World Championship with the calibre of athletes on the start line is never guaranteed — and it certainly isn’t easy.

So there’s one more promise I want to make.

Even if I don’t earn a single dollar of prize money in Kona, each of the 23 athletes will still receive €1,000 personally from me.

That means €23,000 guaranteed, regardless of my result.

I know €1,000 won’t change someone’s entire career.

But if it can pay for a race entry, a new pair of shoes, some equipment, travel to a competition, or simply make one young athlete feel like somebody believes in their dream, then I think that money will mean a lot more there.

And hopefully, we can make it even bigger.

If anyone else wants to contribute to these 23 young athletes, you can donate through the link in my bio.

This is not meant to be a post made for liking and sharing, but if you have anyone in mind, please make them aware.

I was once that kid with a dream.

Now I’d like to help 23 others chase theirs. ✨ 

23 for the future.