The International Triathlon Union
(ITU) today named Edmonton as the host city for the ITU World Championships
Grand Final in 2020.
“Edmonton has been a staple city on
the ITU calendar for many years,” ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado
said. “The city provides unprecedented support to the event, while the local
organising committee offers an exceptional experience for both elite and age
grouper athletes. It will be a fantastic place to end the 2020 season after the
Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The event will mark the third time
Canada has hosted the World Championships with Edmonton having organised the
race in 2001 and 2014. Edmonton was also the site of nine world cup events, and
has hosted a stop on the World Triathlon Series every year since organising the
Grand Final two years ago.
“Building on the success of the 2014
Grand Final, I am confident Edmonton will bring the same expertise and
excitement to the 2020 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final,” said Mayor Don Iveson.
“We look forward to continuing the growth of Edmonton as Canada’s triathlon
city, and our organizers, volunteers and fans are ready to welcome
participants, their families and spectators to our city.”
Last year, Edmonton welcomed
paratriathletes for a World Paratriathlon Event, which they will do again in
2017 as host of a stop on the World Paratriathlon Series. In December of 2017,
Edmonton will also welcome the final ITU Executive Board meeting of the year
alongside the fourth edition of the ITU Science and Triathlon Conference.
“Hosting major events is critical to
the growth and future success of our sport in every corner of this country. The
Grand Final is the premiere ITU triathlon event, so this is a huge victory for
Canada, and an exciting day for our sport,” said Triathlon Canada President Les
Pereira. “Edmonton has a rich history in staging world-leading triathlon
events, and as a result, has ignited the Olympic and Paralympic dream for many
of our elite Canadian athletes who have watched the world’s best compete at
Hawrelak Park in past years.
“This is a true recognition of the
great teamwork that has been developed between our organization and the various
branches of the City of Edmonton,” said Don Lowry, the Edmonton World Triathlon
Board Chair. “It was very positive having Lindsay Harrison of Edmonton Events
as part of our presentation team, and ITU clearly recognized the key role that
the City has played through our staging of 15 annual international events,
including two decision-making finals.”
The ITU Triathlon World
Championships were first held in Avignon, France in 1989. In 2009, the
championships were revamped, expanding the former single-day World Championship
race into an exciting multi-city global series, culminating with the ITU
Triathlon World Championship Grand Final. Athletes earn points throughout the
season and those who win the overall series are crowned the ITU Triathlon World
Champions.
The 2017 ITU World Championships
will be held at the Grand Final in Rotterdam, followed by Gold Coast in 2018
and Lausanne in 2019. In addition to the Edmonton announcement, Bermuda will
join the ITU World Triathlon Series for 2018-2020.
Official dates for the 2020 World Championships
will be confirmed and announced as soon as possible.
The SuperHumans are
Coming - Get Into the Race
Sept 3-4, 2016 | in 4
months
Edmonton has been hosting triathlon events for more than
15 years. In 2014, Edmonton hosted the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final for
which the event won the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance Prestige Award for
International Event of the year.
This year WTS Edmonton is introducing more events to
create the ultimate triathlon festival. With the addition of the National Sprint
Duathlon Championships, aquathlon (Swim/Run) and aquabike (Swim/Bike)
events, the September long weekend triathlon festival has a race for everyone!
Whether you are racing to qualify for World Championships or participating in
your first triathlon, WTS Edmonton offers a closed course and a welcoming
environment.
And where else are you able to compete on the same course
as the best triathletes in the world?
http://edmonton.triathlon.org/
World Triathlon Series
Follow ITU WTS
Edmonton
Follow World Triathlon
