First multisport world champs festival planned
2017 event will include duathlon, aquathlon, cross and long-distance triathlon
The International Triathlon Union plans to combine four World Championship races into the biggest multisport festival yet – and they are looking for a host city.
Bidding is now open to host the 2017 ITU Multisport World Championship Festival, an inaugural 10-day event featuring World Championship events in Duathlon, Aquathlon, Cross Triathlon and Long Distance Triathlon.
“Combining all of these World Championship events into one festival will serve to further strengthen and evolve them, and will be very attractive to cities wishing to attract thousands of active visitors,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado.
The host city can benefit from a significant boost in tourism and global media exposure. Previous world championships in triathlon have attracted at least 45,000 visitors per day and generated over $8m (£5.3m) worth of local spending on accommodation, transport, retail shopping and food and beverage.
The ITU Multisport World Championship Festival will also include both elite and mass participation races and is expected to draw 2,500 to 3,000 athletes, not including their support teams and families.
Interested cities must submit their bid packages to events@triathlon.org by March 27, 2015. The winning cities will be announced on May 15, 2015.
For more information, visit www.triathlon.org.
(Main image: Delly Carr / ITU)
Do you think it’s a good idea to combine these four events? Let us know in the comments!
Micah Sulit
Digital writer 
