British Triathlon is supporting the International Triathlon Union (ITU) bid to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to include paratriathlon in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games sports programme.
This week marks the one-month point from when the IPC Governing Board will make its final decision on which sports, if any, are to be added to the programme.
If chosen as one of the sports, paratriathlon will realise a dream that has long been held by those close to the sport, and become a catalyst in promoting the abilities of athletes with disabilities worldwide.
British Triathlon has seen particular success in the sport this year, with the highlight being four gold medals and two silver for the GE Great Britain Paratriathlon Team at the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU Paratriathlon World Championships – topping the medal table.
Clare Cunningham, 2009 World Champion is supporting the bid. “I believe that being included in Rio 2016 will be absolutely massive for paratriathlon. It would really see the sport move forward rapidly and help attract a high standard of athletes into the sport. All we can do now is wait with our fingers crossed!”
The ITU has launched a ‘Paratriathlon For Paralympics’ awareness campaign with a Facebook group ‘Paratriathlon for Paralympics’ set up to promote the bid and for fans to voice their support.
Triathletes can show support for the campaign and become a ‘Paratriathlon for Paralympics’ fan here.
