He was 24.

 

A statement from the ITU said: "It is with absolute shock and sadness that we have to inform you of the tragic death of our colleague and close friend Peter Holmes.
 

"Peter passed away yesterday in an accident while hiking on a local mountain in Vancouver."

 

Holmes had only joined the ITU in March from British Triathlon, where he had held a similar role for three years having joined them from Loughborough University in March 2006.

 

The statement from the ITU said: "It is ironic in Peter's line of work as communications manager, that words will never be able to describe what he meant to us all and the effect he had on all of those around him.

 

"While Peter worked with us for the last nine months, it seems like he was a part of our family since the beginning. 

 

"Peter was a shining light of happiness and energy and truly touched all our lives in a deep way.

 

"We will always treasure his wit and humour.

 

"As those of us who knew him well can testify, he was a social butterfly who brought happiness to so many of our lives and those of whom he met on his international travels. Peter loved his job as much as those around him loved him.

 

"In only a short period of time he made close and treasured friendships with colleagues, athletes, event organisers and media alike. 

 

"Anybody who Peter touched in life is for the better. 
 
"The triathlon world and all our lives are immeasurably poorer without Peter in it. 

 

"Peter you will remain in our hearts forever."
 

Norman Brook, the former chief executive of British Triathlon, said: "I recruited Peter straight from university to work with us at British Triathlon.

 

"His personality, enthusiasm, commitment, writing skills and his contribution to athletics and media at Loughborough University won us over.

 

"He was a great member of staff who made a major contribution to triathlon in the UK before heading off to work for the International Federation.

 

"This is a terrible tragedy and the loss of a young man who would have contributed and achieved much more in his life if it had not been cut so short."

 

A keen endurance runner, competing for his home club of Cheltenham Harriers at cross-country, road and track events, Holmes had also thrown himself into the sport making the GB Age Group Team for the 2007 ETU European Duathlon Championships.

 

Whilst working at British Triathlon, his role encompassed not only raising the profile of the elite side of the sport, but he was also the highly rated editor of the popular membership magazine Trinews, so will be known to, and missed by many people within the triathlon community.

 

Sarah Springman, the President of British Triathlon, said: "Peter was such a wonderful young man.

 

"He was a great enthusiast and had so much talent, potential and energy for so many different fields.

 

"He was extremely popular within the BTF (British Triathlon Federation) family and was known and appreciated all around the country.

 

"British Triathlon was very proud of him when he was selected to go to his dream job working for ITU in Canada, and notwithstanding the very short period he was there, he was extremely good at it too.

 

"The triathlon world is immeasurably poorer for this tragedy.

 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents and brother at this very sad time."

 

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