World Triathlon

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is pleased to announce it has signed the Development Grant contract with the European Triathlon Union (ETU) for the 2018 season. With the goal of establish a base line of provision for developing triathlon and resources available to all National Federations across Europe, both organizations will work on increasing the membership for the sport of triathlon on all its formats (winter triathlon, long distance, duathlon, cross triathlon….) everywhere in Europe.

“Europe is one of the regions where our sport, triathlon, has a major penetration and therefore is vital for us that we keep helping the ETU to push the development programs throughout Europe, and also helping those National Federations in their mentoring work with some other coaches, officials and senior management staff in the Old Continent”, said ITU President and IOC Member, Marisol Casado. “ETU’s plan is very extensive and covers many different National Federations and projects in Europe, so it is great to give them the support to keep on developing our sport,” she said.

“This year, the plan is heavily focused on fostering the growth of National Federations and developing talent in athletes and coaches, and we will make sure that we cover as much as possible the development necessities of European nations,” said European Triathlon Union President, Renato Bertrandi.

The contract, which was signed in Moscow last week during the European President’s Conference, presented a plan to use the funds offered by ITU to provide three development camps during the season, as well as training and educational opportunities to promising young athletes. But most of the funds will be allocated to help growing nations to travel and send athletes and coaches to those Development camps.

Also, the project includes funds for the Triathlon Play Day in Croatia, to help building visibility on the sport, as well as the “We are the future” program in the F.Y. R. Macedonia, for athletes from age 14 and younger.

ETU will also help the Malta Youth Triathlon Academy and the Moldovan Olympic Triathlon School, and will support all development and talent identification initiatives across Europe.
Bertrandi said, “The signing of this development grant contract is a major step forward for us as we seek to consolidate the work of our Development Committee. I have carefully listened to the “wish list” from our federations and feel that the way forward, as presented by the Development Committee, is the right one for us here in Europe. I would like once again to extend my deep gratitude to ITU for the continued support and faith in our work and I look forward to seeing our new athletes compete in 2018, and I am convinced that we will be able to send a large delegation to the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games in 2018”.