Ryan Bailie has today been selected in the triathlon team to represent Australia at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games held in July.
For Bailie, his selection realizes a boyhood dream to represent Australia on the international stage.
“As a kid we all have dreams to go to the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, and I was no different,” Ryan said.
The 23-year-old, who grew up in Bunbury, Western Australia, made the move to Wollongong five years ago to pursue his dream as a professional triathlete.
“Five years ago I left Bunbury as a young 18 year old. I was chasing a dream to become a professional triathlete, and left with pretty much the clothes on my back, my bike and a few dollars in my bank account.
“I had been given an opportunity to train under Jamie Turner in Wollongong, which I grabbed with both hands, making the most of any opportunity and absorbing any bit of information like a sponge,” Ryan added.
Since those humble beginnings, Ryan has grown from strength to strength. In 2012 he represented Australia at the U/23 World Triathlon Grand Final, progressing to full Elite status in the 2013 ITU World Triathlon series. Ryan gained 3 Top-10 finishes in his first full year as a professional triathlete and in the first World Series race of 2014, claimed his best ever finish of 5th in Auckland.
Bailie is one of the three Australian males selected, joining Aaron Royle and Dan Wilson. Australia’s Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti spoke for the team when he said:
“Everyone on the Australian team is delighted to see triathlon back on the schedule for Glasgow 2014, particularly after our results in Manchester in 2002 and Melbourne in 2006.
“Australia has been a world leader in the sport of triathlon since its inception and it is exciting to see a new group of future stars on this team for Glasgow. Triathlon’s return will be one of the major highlights of these Games,” he said.
Next up for Bailie is the second ITU World Triathlon race in Cape Town on April 27.