The European Triathlon Union has announced the choice of València as the official venue for the next European Triathlon Championship, after a 2020 season in which the global pandemic did not allow the celebration of the continental title.
The European federation noted that… ‘this season’s European Championship will be held once the Olympics are over. The exact date will be announced shortly but we are trying to finalise the European and international calendars with this time of the season being very busy for events.
‘However, we are very conscious that all concerned, including our elite and age group athletes and our national federations, are all eager to get some information on this major Championship of the 2021 season.’
The continental championship will feature the elite competition in the men’s and women’s categories, as well as the paratriathlon event, and the European championships for age groups in both sprint distance and Olympic distance. The last edition of this championship being held in Spain was in 2011, in the Galician city of Pontevedra.
València has an extensive and experienced organisational background both nationally and internationally. It hosted the European Championship in 2004. In recent seasons it has hosted the European Triathlon Cups in 2018, the European Under 23 Championship and Paratriathlon in 2019, and a World Triathlon Cup held last November.
Renato Bertrandi, President of the European Triathlon Union, said “I am very happy to be able to confirm that our European Triathlon Championship in the city of València after the Olympic Games. There is a long history and links between the Triathlon and the city.
“The most recent are the organization of the European Under-23 Championships in 2019 and in 2020, in very difficult conditions due to the pandemic. This year’s European Championship 2021 will take place in the second part of the season and we all have to be positive thinking that we will be in a much more relaxed state.”
Pilar Bernabé, Councillor for Sports at Valencia City Council, said “We are pleased with the announcement of Europe Triathlon and the choice of València as the venue for the European Championship.
“Valencia is a great city, with a great organisational capacity in sporting events. It is a destination for the practice of safe sports; and the celebration of this Championship (as long as the health situation allows it) will consolidate us as the epicentre of international triathlon.
“Once again, we will show the world our enthusiasm and commitment to sport, hosting the European triathletes who come to our city and consolidating ourselves as the Mediterranean capital of sport. Without a doubt, this European Championship is a great opportunity both for our city and for Valencian triathlon.”
