Libby Burrell, the coach of the South African Olympic Triathlon Team at the 2000 Games, has joined USA Triathlon to serve as its National Teams Director.

Burrell, 44, comes to USAT from Somerset West, South Africa, and the University of the Western Cape, where she was a senior lecturer and head of the department of human movement science. She has her master's degree in sport science and a bachelor's degree in biokinetics. Burrell also coached the school's triathlon team and worked individually with South African Olympians Conrad Stoltz and Lizel Moore.

It will be my challenge, along with the USAT staff, to develop a National Teams Program that supports the athletic potential in the United States, Burrell said. We must ensure that our athletes are on the podium at major events such as the Goodwill Games, the 2004 Olympics and beyond.

Added USA Triathlon Executive Director Steve Locke: Libby has the experience we need both in sport and in administration. I was really excited when everything came together and we were able to bring her here to run our national teams program.

Burrell has been a competitive triathlete (participating in the 1995 Ironman) and a national-level swimmer and marathon runner.