Hyde Park to host Grand Final of the ITU Triathlon World Championship Series in 2013

Created On: 08 September 2011

Triathlon's ITU World Championship Grand Final will be held in Britain in 2013. The world's best triathletes will return to the London 2012 Olympic Games venue as Hyde Park hosts the International Triathlon Union's (ITU) most prestigious event.

British Triathlon alongside Upsolut Sport UK, the events joint organising company, is delighted that its bid has been successful, providing a huge boost to British elite and amateur athletes who will have the competitive advantage of racing at home in a world championship event.

The bid was supported by UK Sport and the Mayor of London through London & Partners, his official promotional agency for the city, as well as the Royal Parks and DCMS.

The announcement was made today (Thursday 8 September) by the ITU at its Congress in Beijing, which coincides with this year's Grand Final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic triathlon venue and course.

"It's always very special to come back to an Olympic Games venue so we are thrilled to return to London for the ITU World Championship Grand Final in 2013," said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member. "We are confident London will set a new standard for ITU's premier event."

Hyde Park will host the triathlon competitions at the London 2012 Olympic Games with the bid to host the 2013 Grand Final seen as an important part of the triathlon legacy of the Games.

On hearing the news in Beijing, where he is preparing to race this weekend, with the prospect of becoming World Champion, Alistair Brownlee said: "It is a big boost to British athletes to know that we will be heading back to Hyde Park in 2013.

"We had fantastic support this year, more than we could have expected, and next year is going to be so much bigger. To know that we have that to look forward to again the year after the Olympics is fantastic."

Sarah Springman, President of British Triathlon was equally pleased: "Triathlon is an Olympic sport at which Britain is very successful. For the last three years, along with our partners we have delivered amazing events in London and I'm sure the Olympic Triathlon will be one of the most memorable events of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"Hosting the Grand Final is the perfect legacy for the sport, not only for our world class team of athletes, pariathletes and support staff, but also for thousands of amateur athletes who will come to London having qualified to represent their countries. This is a fantastic opportunity to show Britain at its best and to share our Olympic heritage with the rest of the triathlon family, worldwide."

Adding his support, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "This is yet another vote of confidence in London as a world class venue for staging major international sporting events, Hyde Park, a truly magnificent setting, is already set to host the London 2012 Triathlon competition and together these thrilling events happening two years running are valuable opportunities to proudly showcase our great city to millions around the world."

To help enable the success of the event, the event will receive National Lottery funding through UK Sport and Simon Morton, Director of Major Events and International Relations at UK Sport, said: "The 2013 Triathlon World Championships Grand Final will be an excellent addition to the programme of events the UK is set to host beyond 2012. In securing this event, in addition to future World Championships in Gymnastics and Canoe Slalom, we are successfully using the catalyst of both the London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 Games to establish the UK as a world-leading host nation.

"Hosting the world's most prestigious Triathlon event in the spectacular Hyde Park setting in 2013 will be a fantastic way to maintain the momentum of enthusiasm generated around the sport in the build up to, and no doubt during, the London 2012 Games."

Iain Edmondson, Head of Major Events at London and Partners said: "This fantastic news is testament to London's status as a leading global sports city and the support the city has provided to the sport over the last three years. Securing the ITU Triathlon World Championships Grand Final for 2013 is an example of how London is ensuring that the Olympic legacy for major events is fulfilled. As the official promotional agency for the city, London & Partners will be making the most of this legacy as we develop and bid for more major events, both sporting and cultural, from 2012 and beyond."

Robert Puestow of Upsolut Sports UK said: "Since 2009 when we first hosted an ITU World Championship Series race, the event has grown in stature as is now classed as one of the best in the world. We can´t wait to come back to Hyde Park and will start working on 2013 immediately. We look forward to festival of triathlon in 2013 and providing a great experience for everybody."

The 2011 ITU World Champions will be crowned this weekend at the Grand Final in Beijing, the same course as the 2008 Olympic Games. The elite men will race on Saturday while the elite women will start on Sunday. For a preview of the GE Great Britain Triathlon Team and its chance to win 'double gold' visit www.britishtriathlon.org

Men's race: Live coverage on the BBC red Button and BBC sport website from 05:30am until 07:50am on Saturday 10 September.
Women's race: Live coverage on the BBC red Button and BBC sport website from 06:30am until 08:50am on Sunday 11 September.

Tags: news,london2012

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