USA Triathlon (USAT) has announced that the Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships, initially scheduled for August 8-9 in Milwaukee, have been cancelled due to current local government guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cancellation was required after the City of Milwaukee informed USAT that it is unable to guarantee a permit for the event weekend due to ongoing state and local restrictions on gatherings. The national governing body noted that the safety of all athletes, staff, volunteers and the community at large remains USA Triathlon’s highest priority.
“While we are disappointed to have to cancel the marquee event on USA Triathlon’s National Championships calendar, health and safety concerns take precedence in this challenging time,” said Brian D’Amico, USA Triathlon Director of Events.
“We are pleased to be able to offer deferrals to the 2021 or 2022 Age Group National Championships without the need to re-qualify, or to another USA Triathlon-owned event in 2021 or 2022. We appreciate our community’s patience and understanding during this unprecedented time, and we look forward to gathering again in Milwaukee next August.”
The Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships will return to Milwaukee the next two years, including August 7-8, 2021 and August 6-7, 2022. As USA Triathlon’s largest and longest-running annual event, Age Group Nationals typically attracts more than 5,000 athletes and 10,000 spectators.
Milwaukee hosted the event from 2013-15, and the city is one of only two in history to have hosted for three consecutive years. Its 5,789 registrants in 2014 remains an Age Group National Championships record.
“We are deeply disappointed that our beautiful shores of Lake Michigan will not play host to the 2020 USA Triathlon AGNC,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, President and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. “Our city is an ideal destination to host this event, but we understand the need to put the safety of the athletes and Milwaukeeans first during this unique time in our history.
“We thank USA Triathlon for their partnership and graciously agreeing to host both the 2021 and 2022 Championships in Milwaukee.
“Sports Milwaukee, championed by VISIT Milwaukee, looks forward to welcoming the triathletes back for the next two years.”
Athletes who were registered for the 2020 Age Group Nationals – including the Sprint-Distance, Olympic-Distance, Time to Tri Open Waves and Open Water Swim Competition – have the option to transfer the value of their registration to a future USA Triathlon-owned event in 2021 or 2022.
These include the Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships (no need to re-qualify) or Open Water Swim Competition, USA Duathlon National Championships, Legacy Triathlon or Open Water Swim Competition, or USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships (pending eligibility).
Registered athletes will receive an email from USA Triathlon with more details about the deferral process.
Athletes who qualified and claimed their Team USA Spot for the 2020 Edmonton ITU World Triathlon World Championships will be eligible to transfer their qualification to the 2021 ITU World Triathlon World Championships. More information will be sent out within the coming weeks to all confirmed 2020 Team USA Athletes.
www.usatriathlon.org/covid-19
www.usatriathlon.org/safe-return
