USA Triathlon (USAT) has announced BP as the Official Energy Partner of the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Chicago Grand Final, set for 15-19 September in Chicago’s Grant Park, as well as the title sponsor of Team USA, composed of the top US age-group athletes who qualify each season for ITU World Championships around the globe.
BP will support all events taking place in Chicago this September during the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final and World Championships. In addition to culminating the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Series, the week’s events also include the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships, which will award each winning National Federation in six sport classes a guaranteed country spot for the sport’s debut at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
BP’s engagement represents a strategic extension of its partnership with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and US Paralympics. The renewal is also an expansion of BP’s role as a Main-Level Sponsor of the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Chicago event.
As the title sponsor of USA Triathlon’s Team USA, BP will help support the nearly 1,500 US age-group triathletes competing in the ITU Age Group Standard, Sprint and Aquathlon World Championships in Chicago, as the event returns to US soil for the first time since 2005.
“BP has played a vital role in the Chicagoland community for more than 100 years and we’re honoured to support the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Chicago as we welcome the world’s elite athletes to our city’s grand stage,” said George Bauernfeind, BP’s head of US Olympic and Paralympic programs.
He continued, “BP is particularly honoured to support the weekend’s paratriathlon, which will make its formal debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.”
“Our renewed partnership demonstrates BP’s deep commitment to the sport as together we prepare to host the world’s best elite and age-group triathletes and paratriathletes,” said Chuck Menke, USA Triathlon Chief Marketing Officer. “BP’s support of both the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Chicago and USA Triathlon this year helps make Olympic and Paralympic qualification opportunities possible for the US and other nations.”
BP America has been a partner of the US Olympic Committee since 2010 and sponsors athletes bound for the Olympic and Paralympic Games while providing funding to local sport clubs and athlete charities.
www.usatriathlon.org
chicago.triathlon.org
www.bp.com/us
