The USA Triathlon Foundation, in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), has launched a COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund. This is leading into the PTO 2020 Championship at Challenge Daytona, taking place next month in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Donations contributed to the COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund will be used to support those in the global triathlon community who have been affected most from the pandemic – ‘including race directors, coaches, clubs and athletes who have experienced financial hardship in the US, UK and around the world.’
Challenge Daytona is set for December 4-6 at Daytona International Speedway. The weekend includes races for age-group athletes, paratriathletes and youth, ending with the main event of the weekend, the US$1,150,000 PTO 2020 Championship, scheduled for December 6th.
Triathletes from past and present including Jan Frodeno, Dave Scott, Daniela Ryf, Mark Allen and Lucy Charles are donating their time and merchandise in a global prize draw called ’10 Days to DAYTONA’. This will offer over 50 triathlon prizes between November 26 to December 5 in aid of the COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund.
‘Every day for 10 days leading up to the PTO 2020 Championship, five unique prizes will be up for grabs with the five lucky winners of each day’s prize draw selected at random.
‘In addition to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to engage directly with legends like Frodeno, Scott and Ryf, tens of thousands of dollars of unique prizes – from NormaTec recovery boots to VIP race experiences – have been donated by PTO Professionals, sponsors, USA Triathlon, British Triathlon, Challenge Family, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Active.com and many more.’
Fans will also have the opportunity to donate to the COVID-19 Triathlon Relief Fund as part of the Challenge Daytona livestream broadcast. Use of the donations will be targeted to the countries or regions designated by the donor.
Proceeds from US donors will be routed to the USA Triathlon Foundation, which will then distribute grants to eligible members of the US multisport community who have experienced financial strain during COVID-19.
Funds raised in the UK will be distributed to eligible members of the multisport community in the UK; and, similarly, funds will be distributed to eligible members of the multisport community in the country where the donation was received.
Charles Adamo, Executive Chairman of PTO said, “The PTO and our PTO Professionals have united around the world to support our global triathlon community in these difficult times. We have worked with national governing bodies as well as race organizers to find ways to help.
“With many races cancelled, the PTO has reached out and supported 14 local races in 11 different countries. Many sports rely on major events like the US Open or Wimbledon to fund grassroots activity. While that is the long-term vision of the PTO, given the impact of the pandemic on our triathlon community, we wanted to use the PTO 2020 Championship as a platform to provide much needed assistance.
“The PTO 2020 Championship is a great opportunity to bring our worldwide triathlon family together and support one another.”
Tim O’Donnell, PTO Board Member and Co-President, said, “2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. Thankfully, PTO Professionals have been able to weather the storm better than most by the support they received when the PTO paid out over US$2,500,000 to 200 professionals earlier in the year.
“Many in our community have not had this type of support, so PTO Professionals wanted to find a way to ‘pay it forward’. The PTO 2020 Championship is a great opportunity for PTO Professionals to engage the triathlon community and provide a platform for people to lend a helping hand to those in need.”
He added, “The PTO 2020 Championship will be the race of a lifetime. While we will all be competing furiously, it is good to know that at the same time we are providing some help to others.”
Dave Deschenes, Executive Director, USA Triathlon Foundation said, “We are thankful to the PTO and their professionals for their support. Professional athletes are ‘paying it forward’ by doing what they do best – delivering incredible race performances that inspire through their athleticism and talent.
“By harnessing the promotion of this major event, the PTO, the PTO Professionals and the team at Challenge Daytona, will create much needed funds to support triathlon related causes all over the world.”
William Christy, Challenge North America CEO, added, “The PTO 2020 Championship at Challenge Daytona is set to be the racing spectacle of 2020 with the most competitive field assembled in the history of the sport. We are thrilled that in partnering with the PTO and USA Triathlon Foundation, we harness the ever-growing popularity to support those in need.”
Entry for the prize drawing will open Tuesday, November 24, at championship.protriathletes.org.
The PTO 2020 Championship Challenge Daytona will see the world’s top triathletes competing for a US$1,150,000 prize purse. The race will be available for viewing on a number of worldwide broadcast platforms, which the PTO will be announcing shortly.
www.usatriathlonfoundation.org
www.protriathletes.org
www.challenge-daytona.com
