The International Triathlon Union announced today, almost nine years since the inaugural Olympic Games triathlon, that the 2010 Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series will come to Sydney next year as the sport returns to the iconic Australian city in April.

Following the successful completion of the 2009 Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series, with the Grand Final held on Australia’s Gold Coast last weekend, the joint initiative between ITU, Triathlon Australia and Events New South Wales will see Sydney host a leg of the global eight race series for the next three years. The 2010 series will follow the same format as the 2009 programme with seven world championship races and a Grand Final, which will be hosted in the Hungarian capital, Budapest.

“Sydney is a truly incredible city which is very special to the history of our sport,” said ITU President, Marisol Casado. “Triathlon’s involvement within the Olympic Programme was imperative to the sport’s growth and prestige, and Sydney allowed us to showcase our dynamic multisport in a fantastic sporting arena with passionate supporters. It will be a great pleasure to return to the city next year.”

“As an athlete it’s very exciting to know we’ll be racing in Sydney and around the Opera House,” newly crowned 2009 Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Champion, Australia’s Emma Moffatt, said. “Watching triathlon’s debut at the Olympic Games was one of those moments that helped inspire me to become an elite triathlete, so to have the opportunity to defend my world title on home soil next year will be a magical experience.”

“Sydney is a spectacular addition to the 2010 calendar, it is a truly world class venue” said Paul Coleman, Managing Director of the Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series. “Global TV audiences and enthusiastic Australian fans will now have a mouth-watering opportunity to watch the best triathletes in the world competing in the ultimate lifestyle sport in the ultimate lifestyle city.”

The Sydney course will closely resemble the 2000 Olympic route with most of the action taking place against the breathtaking backdrop of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, involving multiple lap bike and run courses to ensure a spectator friendly race. Although the races in 2010 will only include elite competitors there are plans to create a mass participation race, starting in 2011, allowing thousands of amateur triathletes the chance to compete alongside their Olympic heroes.

“Sydney and New South Wales’ experience in hosting world class events such as World Youth Day, the Rugby World Cup and the Olympic Games, made Sydney the ideal choice,” said Premier of New South Wales, Nathan Rees.  “We know how to stage major international events and securing the Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series is a real coup for Sydney.”

The 2009 Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series included stopovers in Washington DC, London, Hamburg, Madrid and Yokohama, creating a truly international and exciting race programme for the world’s best triathletes. The ITU’s full 2010 race calendar will be announced in early October.

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