Even if some of the biggest nations seem to dominate the sport, Triathlon is still developing worldwide, the israelian athlete, Ron Darmon is a perfect exemple. We talk with him to know more about the reality of an athlete from an emergent country (ITU) and how he is building his own path with the goal to represent his country for the Rio’s olympic games. In 2010, Ron was 5th in world junior and started to compete on the WTS circuit. He had two recent top 10 in highly competitive World Cups (Mooloolaba & New Plymouth). Fun fact, he has a double nationality: israel and france.
You crashed at Auckland, can you tell us how it happened? What are the consequences?
During the first lap of the bike I just finished having a drink, and as I was reaching out to hold my handlebars my wheel went on a manhole and I lost grip and crashed. I broke my collarbone and had to get a surgery done back in Australia.
Are you worried about it, can you still do some training?
To be honest, it changed my plan a bit. for me this year it is all about chasing Olympic ranking points, and now after the surgery I will be out at least until London. I don’t really worry about it and just trying to get better each day and do everything right so when I’m back I’ll be stronger than before.
It’s a little special because you have your crash on camera… You recently started to film your race, can you tell us what was your motivation to do this?
I started to Film the races mainly because I wanted to share my experience as an Elite athlete, to show the crowd what you can’t see on TV.
We saw other athletes doing some signs to your camera. Do you think it might influence their behaviour?
If the camera had any effect on the race I would not have used it, I simply want to share the race from the athlete point of view.
Can you tell us how your were introduced to triathlon?
I started triathlon when I was around 9 years old, it was more of a local sport in my town so everyone in my age did it and I just tried and fell in love with the sport.
Can you describe your situation for the olympic games, are you in contention with Amitai Yonah.
Israel never had a Triathlete in the Olympic Games, my whole goal is to be ranking in the top 50 on the qualifying list and because there are 2 spots possible for each country I don’t have any contention with Amitai Yonah.
Is Israel under emergent country with ITU?
Yes, and the ITU sport development has been a great impact in my career supporting me since I was a junior.
What is the selection policies for the olympics games?
The selection policy is simply to make the international qualification list (top 50 ranked athletes- not including the new flag)
I guess ITU triathlon in Israel is not really popular, what kind of support are you getting from your federation?
Triathlon is a fast growing sport in Israel, the federation doesn’t have much budget but they help me as much as they can as well as the Israeli Olympic committee and my local sponsors.
So you need to be on your own, can you describe your training environment?
I’m training with the Australian coach, Warwick Dalziel and with a group of around 8 athletes, we travel and train together so there is always someone to challenge me in training. during the summer we are basing and Spain and in Winter at Brisbane, Australia.
Are you jealous of the resources of bigger countries?
I’ll lie if I say I don’t but I try not to think about it and just use what I have and get better each day so I can perform well in races and support myself.
Could you say you are under pressure to perform?
There is always a pressure to perform, but I enjoy it as it is a big part of our sport and it thrives me to be best I can be.
What’s next for you?
I hope to be back for London WTS and if not then Huatulco World cup at Mexico.
–
The Official page for Israeli Triathlete, Ron Darmon
http://twitter.com/rondarmon
http://instagram.com/rondarmon