Planned to originally take place in Singapore, and citing economic difficulties and time constraints, the first event of the new 2009 Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series, has been relocated to Tongyeong, Korea. The date of the event will also be moved one week earlier to 2-3 May 2009.
The event organizer in Singapore notified the International Triathlon Union (ITU) that it was regrettably unable to host the event in 2009 as originally planned. Organisers of the Tongyeong ITU Triathlon World Cup, however, agreed to step in and host the first leg of the Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series. This event will therefore replace the scheduled Tongyeong ITU Triathlon World Cup in 2009.
"It is very unfortunate that we have to shift the series from Singapore, however, ITU has immediately managed to secure a high quality replacement event in Tongyeong, Korea," said Managing Director of the series, Paul Coleman. "As an original candidate city, Tongyeong is extremely enthusiastic to be part of the series and has agreed to put forward the resources to ensure the event remains at the highest level in terms of prize money and television production."
Since 2003, Tongyeong has staged multiple ITU Triathlon World Cup races with an established organisation that has successfully delivered high-calibre events. As with all Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series events, there will be a live television production and US$150,000 (€116,000) prize money in Tongyeong.
"The Triathlon Association of Singapore (TAS) and the Singapore Sports Council have been fully supportive of the inaugural Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series," explained Mark Tay, President of TAS. "We understand the decision to move the Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series to Tongyeong, Korea. For the sport, we congratulate ITU on its kick-off this year, wishing them every success. Singapore looks forward to welcoming this event to the city in the near future."
