The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has opened bidding for the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Series, as well as the 2019 ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final.
“Triathlon as a sport continues to grow at a rapid rate, attracting hundreds and thousands of athletes to races,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “The World Triathlon Series brings the world’s best athletes to a city, while also offering it international exposure as the races are broadcast live to a global audience.
“The series is an ideal way for a city to promote a healthy lifestyle to its citizens, while also enjoying widespread international attention.”
The ITU World Triathlon Series (WTS) is billed as the premier triathlon series in the world and features top international triathletes racing head-to-head in cities around the globe. In addition to competing for the title of World Champion, athletes vie for a total prize purse of over US$2 million, ‘the greatest cumulative prize purse in triathlon’.
The WTS is comprised of standard and sprint distance events, with one race also selected to host the Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships, and culminates at the Grand Final. The World Triathlon Series Grand Final is also host to the ITU Age Group World Championships and draws upwards of 5,000 athletes and over 10,000 support crew to the event.
ITU adds that hosting a WTS event offers cities the opportunity to showcase themselves to millions of people via a live international television broadcast in addition to attracting thousands of international guests and race participants. Annual on-site spectators for the series are upwards of 1.2 million.
In addition, an hour long magazine show is produced from each event, as well as live internet coverage, social media exposure and worldwide news distribution.
>>> Bid document for 2017 ITU World Triathlon Series
>>> Bid document for 2019 ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final
While ITU accepts bids for WTS races annually, local organising committees have the opportunity to present a multi-year bid. Cities interested in hosting a race on the 2017 World Triathlon Series calendar must submit their bid to ITU by 2 May 2016. Successful cities will be notified following the ITU Executive Board meeting on 10 June 2016.
Cities interested in organising the 2019 ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final must submit their bid to ITU by 16 May 2016, and should be prepared to present their bids to the ITU Executive Board in person at its meeting on 10 June 2016. The successful 2019 Grand Final city will be notified on or before 22 August 2016.
