Vancouver, Canada (January 28, 2008) - The International Triathlon Union announced five new Continental Cups to its 2008 season; two in Africa, two in Europe and one in Asia. All will be draft-legal Olympic distance races consisting of a 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike, and 10-kilometer run. ITU Triathlon Continental Cups are highly important for athletes to earn ITU points to gain entry into the BG Triathlon World Cup series.
New Events in Africa
Bloemfontein, South Africa will host an ITU Triathlon African Cup on February 23. For African triathletes, the race will be an important prelude to the ATU African Triathlon Championships in Yasmine Hammamet, Tunisia on March 8-9.
Click here for more information on the Bloemfontein ITU Triathlon African Cup
Mauritius will also stage an ITU Triathlon African Cup on May 11. Last year it hosted the successful ATU African Triathlon Championships at Le Coco Beach and the country continues to support the growth of triathlon. Mauritius has hosted ITU-sanctioned African Cups since 2005.
Click here for more information on the Mauritius ITU Triathlon African Cup
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First time event in Seoul
Seoul has been awarded an ITU Triathlon Asian Cup for May 25; marking the first time an ITU sanctioned international triathlon will take place in the South Korean capital. The event will take place in the middle of the city, an area known as “Yeoui-do”, the financial center of Korea. Participants will swim two laps in the Han river, cycle six laps around the skyscrapers such as LG Twin Tower and the Korea Stock Exchange, and run four laps on the riverside park.
The Korean Triathlon Federation has set the prize money at $50,000 USD for the inaugural event, which will prepare the city for its bid for the 2012 ITU Triathlon World Championships. For elite athletes, the federation is planning to provide three nights accommodations and meals. Airfare assistance will also be provided for elite athletes, though the amount will be dependent on the athletes’ world rankings.
The mayor of Seoul, Se-Hoon Oh, has promised the city’s support in efforts to make it one of the world’s best events. His support for the race will extend beyond the office as he plans to compete as well. Seoul’s impressive sports resume includes the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Click here for more information on the Seoul ITU Triathlon Asian Cup
European Additions
Chania, the second-largest city on Crete in Greece, will host an ITU Triathlon European Cup on April 13. The race will be pivotal for many European athletes vying for a spot at the prestigious ETU Triathlon European Championships in Lisbon, Portugal on May 10-11.
Click here for more information on the Chania ITU Triathlon European Cup
The popular Hungarian resort town of Balatonfured will also host an ITU Triathlon European Cup for the first time. The Olympic distance event will take place on June 14 near the shores of scenic Lake Balaton, located approximately 100 kilometers south west of Budapest, home of the 2010 Triathlon World Championships. Balatonfured also hosted last year’s Hungarian National Championships.
Click here for more information on the Balatonfured ITU Triathlon European Cup
Click here for all ITU Triathlon European Cups
Click here for the entire ITU Calendar
About the International Triathlon Union (ITU):
The International Triathlon Union is the world governing body for the Olympic sport of Triathlon and all related multi-sport disciplines: Duathlon, Aquathlon and Winter Triathlon. ITU was founded in 1989 at the first ITU Congress in Avignon, France and has maintained its headquarters in Vancouver, Canada since then. It now has over 120 affiliated National Federations around the world and is the youngest International Federation in the Olympics. Triathlon was awarded Olympic status in 1994. ITU is proudly committed to supporting the development of the sport worldwide through strong relationships with continental and national federations, working with its partners to offer a balanced sport development programme from grass roots to a high performance level.
