Having been the region’s foremost pioneer and promoter of triathlon for more than 35 years, John McKibbon has introduced and trained countless adults and children through local triathlon events and programs, while officiating world-class competitions across the globe.

Born and raised in Windsor/Tecumseh, John was a highly-lauded official with the Windsor and District Basketball Officials Association. He also was a prominent promoter of local racquetball throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His efforts included the role of tournament director for two Canadian national championships held at the old Maple Leaf Club in Tecumseh.

Despite his love of these and other sports, it was in triathlon that he would make the greatest impact on the local community. In 1979, John hosted the first ever “Kids of Steel Triathlon,” and by 2005 he had launched the “Kids of Steel Triathlon” camp which has seen more than 7,000 local youngsters learn the sport under John’s tutelage. In 1988, John began officiating triathlons across Ontario and was soon a highly respected official at both the provincial and national level, working his first Canadian championships in 1990 and then, in 1992, his first World Triathlon Championship at Huntsville, Ontario. In the 24 years since, John has been head referee at numerous Canadian championships and has also officiated at more than 20 World Triathlon and Duathlon championships. Today, John remains the highest-ranked triathlon official in Ontario, and one of the highest-ranked and longest-serving in Canada.

In recognition of his outstanding service to the sport, John has received numerous accolades from Triathlon Ontario, including the association’s prestigious “Mr. Triathlete Award”. This award acknowledged his 25 years of balancing a career as a competitive athlete, race director, and technical official. Locally, John was made a lifetime honourary member of the Windsor Triathlon Club for his outstanding service in promoting the sport of triathlon in our region. Indeed, there are few who have meant as much to their respective sport as John McKibbon has to triathlon in Windsor and Essex County. It is for this reason, and many others, that the Windsor / Essex County Sports Hall of Fame is privileged to announce John McKibbon as part of the Class of 2016, in the Builder category.