Already a popular destination for Ironman and other triathlon events, Geelong, in the state of Victoria, Australia, is raising is profile in the world of triathlon.
Building on the success of similar events in Noosa and Mooloolaba – Geelong plans to host a new three day multisport festival to attract elite and age group athletes from around the world. Organisers are hopeful of attracting around 3,000 competitors and 10,000 spectators to the Geelong Multi Sport Festival to be held annually in February from next year.
According to reports, Geelong will stage the festival over the next three years with strategies in place for its long-term future.
“This will be like no event Geelong has seen; it’s a fabulous coup for Geelong,” said Mayor John Mitchell. “There will be a wide range of sports for people to watch or take part in. The whole waterfront will come alive with stalls, sport and entertainment creating a fun festival atmosphere.
“The Geelong Multi Sport Festival is well positioned to become our next hallmark event. We’re hoping it will be as huge as Audi Victoria Week or the Avalon Airshow.”
The centrepiece will be the Olympic distance triathlon, while some of the world’s best triathletes will contest the Australian Sprint Distance Championships.
USM Events Managing Director Geoff Meyer said competition for spots in the events would be fierce.
"Basically leading into February the teams from the northern hemisphere base themselves here [in Australia]," he said. "In the past we have had athletes from France, America, Japan and Canada compete. We are confident that we will get a good spread of athletes competing."
The festival will also include other sports such as skateboarding, BMX and three-on-three basketball competitions. A one-hour highlights package of the weekend will be shown on free-to-air television.
