The International Triathlon Union (ITU) today named Edmonton as the host city for the 26th edition of the ITU World Championships Grand Final in 2014.
“Edmonton has been a staple city on the ITU calendar for many years,” ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado said. “Given their extensive experience organizing ITU events, we have no doubt they will host a world class event that continues to push the standards of excellence we have seen in our Grand Final events.”
The event will mark the fourth time Canada has hosted the Grand Final, with Edmonton having organised the race in 2001. Edmonton was also the site of nine world cup events in the last 10 years and has welcomed PATCO Junior Triathlon Pan American races on four occasions, in addition to a stand-alone Paratriathlon race in 2012.
“We are very committed to bringing sporting events to Edmonton,” Jane Batty, the city’s Deputy Mayor, said. “We can provide a great atmosphere for the race, but what ITU triathlon provides to our community is ever greater.”
In addition to crowning the 2014 ITU World Champions, the event will also name world champions in junior and U23 categories, as well as Paratriathlon, which will debut in the Paralympics at Rio 2016. After record-high numbers of age-group triathletes descended on Auckland in 2012, thousands of athletes from around the world are expected to travel to Edmonton.
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 2013 ITU World Championships will be held at the Grand Final in London 11-15 September where age-group athletes will get the opportunity to participate on much the same course as the 2012 London Olympics in Hyde Park.
Official dates for the 2014 World Championships will be confirmed and announced as soon as possible.