The 2024 Junior World Triathlon Championships held in Pontevedra, Spain, delivered mixed outcomes for two young Barbadian triathletes on Thursday, as both walked away with critical high-level competition experience despite underwhelming on-track results.
Sixteen-year-old Alexis Lashley put up a gritty fight across all three stages of the race, even as her final ranking landed far outside the upper echelon of competitors. Lashley turned in a strong performance in the opening swim leg, kept pace with her lead pack through the cycling segment, and closed out the event with a consistent run. She ultimately crossed the finish line in 61st place, a result that fell short of her own personal goals. But with two more years of eligibility remaining in her current age group, the tournament marked a pivotal introduction to the intensity of elite global competition, particularly against traditionally dominant European triathlon contenders.
For 17-year-old Luke McIntyre, the race ended far earlier than expected, after a chaotic racing incident in the transition zone immediately following the swim leg left him injured. A mass pile-up of young competitors left McIntyre trampled, with a kick to the head that triggered immediate adverse symptoms. The young athlete pushed through the pain to start the cycling leg, attempting to complete one full lap of the course before worsening headaches and debilitating dizziness forced him to withdraw from the event. Following prompt evaluation and treatment from on-site medical teams, McIntyre was cleared to return to training and is already on the mend with no serious long-term injuries reported.
In an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY from the championships venue, Dr. Garth McIntyre, president of the Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes, framed the results as a critical learning opportunity for both the athletes and the national governing body. He noted that even with the disappointing outcomes, the pair gained invaluable exposure to top-tier international competition that will serve them well in future events.
“Both athletes performed admirably against the best young triathletes in the world,” Dr. McIntyre said. “This isn’t a setback—it’s a foundational experience. Alexis held her own against much more seasoned competitors, and even though Luke couldn’t finish, he got a firsthand look at the intensity of this level of racing.”
Dr. McIntyre added that both young competitors are already looking ahead to the 2025 racing season and have outlined clear goals to improve on this year’s results. Their participation in the Spanish world championships has ruled them out of Barbados’ upcoming National Championships scheduled for this Sunday, but Dr. McIntyre confirmed both are expected to return to competitive action quickly.
The next major milestone for the pair is the CARIFTA Triathlon, set to take place in just four weeks on October 23 and 24 in Bermuda. Following a short rest period to recover from the world championships, both athletes will resume targeted training for the regional event. Two weeks after the CARIFTA games, Lashley is also scheduled to represent Barbados at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.