Brook’s decision is work/life balance related as he intends to relocate to South Africa so that he can spend more time with his wife and family, where they are now based.

 

Brook took up the position of chief executive in 2000, just as triathlon was making its debut as an Olympic sport, and is credited with leading the sport’s growth over the last seven years.

 

Britain has become established as one of the world’s leading triathlon nations and the sport has become a successful mass participation activity.

Brook has been behind the sport’s growth in membership, participation and funding.

 

He has helped the sport establish a level of television coverage envied by many other sports and has been the architect of the sport’s growing structure.

 

British Triathlon has also enjoyed considerable success in recent years, producing World Champions at senior, under-23 and junior levels in standard and long distance triathlon and duathlon.

Dr Sarah Springman, president of the British Triathlon Federation, paid tribute to Brook's tremendous contribution to the sport:

 

"Norman's visionary leadership, creative thinking and dedication to triathlon has driven the sport through significant change over the last seven years," she said.

 

"Through his efforts British Triathlon now has significant funding to develop even further; he has identified and won finance from most of the Government funding opportunities and secured our first premier sponsor in Corus last year.

"Norman has always been close to performance sport and managed to achieve his vision by setting up Britain’s first domestic elite series this year, which has been received by the athletes with great enthusiasm.

 

"Our elite performance on the global stage has been outstanding with six European and four World Champions in Olympic-focussed triathlon in the last two years alone; and many more in the non-Olympic disciplines, which he espoused and insisted on supporting throughout.

"We are also enjoying the envied position of being quoted as the UK's fastest growing sport.

 

"Norman was in the vanguard of modernising the governance of our sport in setting up the British Triathlon Federation and Triathlon England from the original British Triathlon Association.

"These factors, and many more, are due to the strength of leadership from Norman Brook.

 

"There is no doubt that he is leaving triathlon in great shape.

 

"We thank him for his passion and commitment to our sport and wish him all the best in the future."

On announcing that he was moving on, Brook said: “I am sad to be leaving the British Triathlon Federation but look forward to spending more time with my wife and family.

 

"It was a difficult decision to depart from such a wonderful sport at a time full of opportunity as we head through to 2012.

 

"However, it is my intention to continue to contribute to the development of sport in Great Britain and also in South Africa, where I previously worked on the UK-South Africa Sports Initiative.”

The British Triathlon Federation intends to begin its search for a new chief executive immediately.