In 2014, the second Summer Youth Olympic Games was held in Nanjing, China. Young triathletes from all across the globe gathered at a start line and raced in honour of their nation. Representing the Solomon Islands, Boris Teddy was among the chosen few selected to compete at YOG.

Teddy, 18, started in the sport of triathlon back in 2011, when he was encouraged by his mother to participate in a race that was happening the very next day. Without training and without experience, Teddy competed in the triathlon and it has been the sport for him ever since.

Now, Teddy trains full-time six days a week with a dedicated schedule that includes alternating swimming and cycling every other day and running afterwards every evening. He has been competing in races around Oceania, sticking to a regiminted schedule that has proven to have a beneficial impact on his life.

Commenting on what life could be like for him without the involvement of triathlon, Teddy said, “Triathlon gives me a healthy lifestyle that most importantly keeps me fromn getting involved in drinking alcohol, such as Kwaso, which is a local homemade spirit, smoking marijuana or involving in criminal activities, which unfortunately is a norm in my community.”

In 2014, Teddy was given an opportunity in triathlon that would change the course of his career, he was invited to compete in the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games. And while his experience was unlike any other athlete competing, the lessons that Teddy learned were immeasurable.

Teddy finished in last place in the race, but that didn’t matter to him, because despite his position, he was proud to have finished.

“The Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing added another huge step up in my triathlon career. Although the race was really tough for me, I still had the courage to move on in my race day,” said Teddy. “It was tough because I had no coach with me, but I was glad that ITU sent Rolf Ebling to assist me in my race. Although I was last in my race, it was a milestone achievement for my National Federation because I raced without being lapped.”

“All I could think was WOW! I was overjoyed because this was the achievement my National Federation President asked me to achieve before the actual race day. He told me ‘Never to be lapped in the competition and enjoy your race.’”

Finishing the race brought pride and excitement to his home nation, but that excitement was close to never existing, if it weren’t…