Townsville To Host ITU 2021 Multisport World Championships
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced the 2021 Multisport World Championships will take place in Townsville.
The World Championships are expected to be the biggest sporting event ever held in Townsville, boasting five world championship titles awarded across ten days of competition.
ITU president and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, Marisol Casado, said it was a great pleasure to welcome the triathlon family once again to Queensland after the Gold Coast hosted the ITU World Championship Final in 2009.
“Over the past years, Australia has become synonymous with the sport, playing host to some truly memorable performances and great champions, staging races the results of which have helped shape the path of entire seasons.
“Being able to hold these important races in one fantastic location and all under the banner of one festival has proved to be hugely beneficial for athletes, spectators and media alike, allowing the global ITU family the opportunity to gather together for a true celebration of the sport, and we are extremely excited to head to Townsville in 2021,” Ms Casado said.
Australia’s Tourism Industry Development Minister, Kate Jones, said the event, which will be held in August 2021, is expected to add more than $16 million into the economy, attracting more than 8000 athletes and spectators.
“We invest in events like these because they attract tourists to Townsville and support local jobs.
“Securing the ITU Multisport World Championships will also benefit one of the region’s most high-profile events, the Townsville Triathlon Festival, which will be significantly expanded ahead of the world championships,” she said.
Townsville Triathlon Festival president, Jamie Fitzpatrick, said the event will help improve the Townsville Triathlon Festival’s reputation and growth.
“This announcement not only benefits Townsville in 2021 but will now be the catalyst for the existing [Townsville Triathlon] Festival to expand its format to include a new ‘off-road’ weekend, making it the biggest Triathlon and Multisport Festival in Australia with 22 different events and race formats across two weekends,” he said.
The five titles that will be up for grabs at the 2021 ITU Multisport World Championships are in duathlon, cross triathlon, aquathlon, aquabike and long-distance triathlon, comprising various male and female race categories for elite, age group and para-triathletes.
