In a fitting tribute, Triathlon Australia has today announced the late Chris Davis will be posthumously named the Australian Age Group Triathlon Team Flag Bearer for the upcoming World Triathlon Sprint & Relay Championships in Hamburg.

Tragically, Chris Davis, a dedicated triathlete, passed away earlier this year.

 In February, Chris was swimming on a busy New Caledonia beach when a shark bit him several times. He was pulled from the water and taken to shore by people on a nearby sailboat. Despite the efforts of emergency services to resuscitate him, Chris passed away at the scene.

 A valued Australian Age Group Team member, Chris competed on the team several times including in 2009 on the Gold Coast, 2019 in Lausanne and in 2022 in Montreal. He was selected to his fourth Australian Age Group Triathlon Team to compete in Hamburg.

 His love for triathlon lives on through the four family members he inspired to get involved with the sport.

 Chris’ sister Joanne Gray, brothers Andy and John, and brother in law Stephen Gray have all been selected to represent Australia as part of the 2023 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team, and will march with the flag in honour of him.

 “We know how much Chris loved triathlons and competing with fellow triathletes for Australia.” Joanne said.

“We sincerely appreciate Triathlon Australia bestowing this honour on Chris and we will have him in our hearts as we march in Hamburg.

 “We all remember the conversation that he had with us in late 2018 when he suggested that we should all try to compete in the sprint distance triathlon as a family in Edmonton in 2020 as members of the Australian team,” she said.

 “John was the only one of us who had ever completed a triathlon and we actually didn’t even know what it would entail.  Chris’ quiet and gentle encouragement got us on board, we purchased bikes and wetsuits and we all aimed for Edmonton. 

 “We often told him that if it wasn’t for him, we would never have completed a triathlon let alone been selected in the Australian Team.  We still feel surprised at what we achieved together – Chris is our wonderful brother, our triathlete coach, and our motivation and we know he will be watching over us in Hamburg.”

 Reflecting on his love for the sport, Joanne says Chris would feel immense pride being chosen as the Official Flag Bearer for the team.

 “Chris would have been surprised, but delighted,” she said.

 “He was a fierce competitor motivated by his desire to always do better.  His training program was intense, matched only by his love of the sport.  Chris would have been so proud to think that his contribution to the Australian Team was being acknowledged in such an important way. 

 “He clearly loved being part of the triathlon community.

 “He knew quite a few other triathletes and I am sure the team will keenly feel his presence in Hamburg.  As a family, we know that the event will bring us lovely memories and whilst we will feel sorrow that he is no longer with us, we will also feel pride for what he achieved.”

 Hamburg will be the epicentre of Triathlon from the 13th to the 16th of July, welcoming the world’s best multisport athletes at Elite, Para and Age-Group levels.

 In 2023, the Age Group World Championships will also place as part of the World Triathlon Sprint & Relay Championships in Hamburg. This includes the World Triathlon Championship Series for elite athletes, as well as the Junior World Championships, and Mixed Relay World Championships for Elite, Junior/U23 and categories.

 Click here to view the full 2023 Australian Age Group Triathlon Team