About the Author

Researching the true origin of triathlon since 2012

In 2012, when San Diego hosted the ITU World Triathlon Olympic Qualifier, Thao Vu noticed the city being promoted as “the birthplace of triathlon.” Curious, she began searching for the original story. That search led her to Jack Johnstone’s website, correspondence with his wife, Betty, and her first conversations with people who stood at the starting line in 1974.

She helped bring Don Shanahan and Jack Johnstone forward as honored guests at the Qualifier and began collecting records and testimonies. She also collaborated with local news outlets to document milestone anniversaries — the 40th with KPBS and the 50th with ABC 10 News.

The most significant discoveries came through interviews with Don Shanahan, Betty Johnstone, and others with firsthand knowledge, along with the San Diego Track Club newsletters that documented, month by month, how the sport took shape.

Those sources provided a vivid picture of the first triathlon and allowed Thao to build a collection that preserves the true origin of the sport.