When someone mentions the Manitoba Triathlon Centre, two things likely spring to mind:
- The overwhelming success of the MTC, a high-performance initiative that prepares youth- and junior-aged triathletes for elite competition. (Fun fact: Manitobans have graced the triathlon podium at every Canada Games since the sport was introduced in 2009.)
- The driving force of the program since it was established in 2000 — head coach Gary Pallett.
Of course, these concepts — the evidence of excellence, the presence of Pallett — are not unrelated.
“How much has Gary Pallett meant? We have been so fortunate to have him,” says Jared Spier, executive director of Triathlon Manitoba. “All the athletes understand how much Gary has given to them and will give to them. He puts them first.
“He’s been responsible for the success of the program as much as anything else.”
At Triathlon Manitoba’s annual general meeting and awards dinner this fall, the MTC’s impressive anniversary — 25 years — was toasted.
“Triathlon Canada is proud to celebrate the Manitoba Training Centre on its 25th anniversary,” said Phil Dunne, chief executive officer, Triathlon Canada. “Over the past quarter century, with Gary at the helm, the Centre has played an invaluable role in advancing high-performance triathlon in Canada – identifying talent, developing world-class athletes, and contributing to our Olympic and Paralympic success.”
But the mastermind behind the 25 years of dedication to excellence and athlete development is Pallett, who also was toasted at the provincial sport organization’s annual celebration.
A few of his program’s notable graduates had been unable to attend the banquet — because of work commitments, because of the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Australia — but they shared their heart-felt appreciation via video tributes.
“Gary got me into the sport … the most influential,” Tyler Mislawchuk, who’s raced in three Olympic Games, said. “I definitely wouldn’t have done — or still be doing — what I’ve done without Gary. A lot of the things, I look back and realize that we were way ahead of the curve. That was all created by Gary.”
Added national team member Blake Harris in another recording: “No doubt I wouldn’t be here without Gary’s help.”
Dr. William Bell — who has a primary care practice in Whitehorse, Yukon — is wearing surgical scrubs during his message to Pallett: “I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t think, on some level, about the time I spent training with you and how instructive that was for my life today.”
Kyla Roy went on to earn a scholarship at Arizona State University and capture the 2019 NCAA title. “You truly taught me how triathlon can be fun and helped push me to achieve my best results,” she said, adding that Pallett also mentored her when she caught on with the ASU coaching staff. “You were always around for a pick-me-up text.”
For MTC alumni, there have been berths in the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Pan-Am Games. Also? By the coach’s count, three have become doctors. Another three have landed NCAA scholarships.
“I think the group’s above average with how successful they’ve been after they finish,” says Pallett, pointing out that many grads also help out with the club following their competitive careers. “For our program, it takes a lot of dedication to put in the work. One thing that I’m proud of is that the kids learn time-management skills.
“A lot of stuff isn’t related specifically to triathlon, but their work ethic travels with them.”
The athletic journey is collaborative. Guiding 10 to 20 teenaged prospects every year, the coach seeks their input as he lays the groundwork of their individualized sessions. “I work to where their goals are — ‘You tell me what your goals are and I’ll tell you the commitment level we need to hit it,’” he says. “That was a huge goal for me, developing athletes into the elite stream. It’s exciting. It’s been a fun process.
“But I give credit to the athletes — they work hard.”
Part his program’s well-established reputation is the tradition. There’s a performance blueprint awaiting incoming athletes.
Because — starting with the 2009 Canada Games when Sarah-Anne Brault earned silver — MTC boasts an unbroken string of been-there-done-that mentors. Mislawchuk medalled at the 2013 Canada Games. In 2017, in Winnipeg, it was Roy’s turn to shine, collecting bronze. At the 2022 Canada Games, Anja Krueger got silver in the sprint and bronze in the super sprint.
Winners inspire newcomers.
“I’ve always had a good leader on our team. That’s helped,” says Pallett. “When the others see athletes who have been successful, they believe that they can do it as well.”
MTC’s history, given the province’s population and unfriendly weather, is remarkably rich. “We definitely punch above our weight,” says Spier. “Getting athletes to national-team opportunities or Canada Games success, those are two big metrics.”
That, of course, is the aim — polishing up-and-comers to the point that they can leave the MTC nest. When that happens, it’s a checkmark. It means the program is paying dividends.
But, with demanding training routines, it’s never easy for athletes. And for Pallett, it’s never easy when they move on. With the Canada Games forever on the horizon, it’s a four-year cycle of rebuilding, peaking, then starting over.
“There’s great times when we’re celebrating,” says Pallett. “But it’s also hard losing athletes after working with them for so long. They get to a certain level here, then they’ve got to go international (to get to the next stage) … so all my top athletes leave.
“But as you go through it, it just becomes part of the process, right?”
