Why are there so few African American tri-athletes?

According to USA Triathlon, African Americans currently represent 0.5% of the triathlete community.

While African Americans represent a disproportionately small number of athletes in the sport, we are almost twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. (American Diabetes Association) African American women have the highest rates of obesity compared to other groups in the U.S. and African Americans are 70% less likely to engage in active physical activity as Non-Hispanic Whites. (US Dept of Health and Human Services). According to Simba Durio, a black triathlete – blogger – there are several reasons: high cost of participation; lack of access to swimming pools, lakes and beaches; and, fear of water.

More important, African American women are less likely to participate in the sport because of their concern about personal appearance - hair care and styling – after getting their hair wet while swimming. READ MORE

Hair care and style concerns, cost constraints, lack of access to swim facilities and fear of water may be barriers to the sport of triathlon in the African American community. However, there is a larger issue; African Americans have limited exposure to the sport. Their recreational facilities are not likely to include the sport in their programming; local and national personalities do not talk about the sport and triathlete sports event organizers are not likely to find sponsors willing to fund tri-events in urban centers where the highest concentration of African Americans are located. Yet, the sport is on an upward trend in Euro and Asian communities. If African Americans are to become triathlon enthusiasts, industry leaders and local clubs will have to invest time and resources to promote the sport.

http://www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/demographics.aspx