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Organizers have begun counting down to next year's ITU Multisport World Championships Festival.
The 10-day event will be held in August 2017 in Penticton, and will see athletes compete in five separate world championships: duathlon, aquathlon, cross triathlon, aquabike and the long-distance triathlon.
This year's Challenge Penticton, held this week, is doubling as the Canadian Multisport National Championships and a test event for the world championships next year.
“We are tremendously excited about the Canadian Multisport National Championships,” said Michael Brown, executive director of Penticton 2017 in a news release.
“We’ve had excellent feedback during the test event that will provide us with the tools to create a world-class event next August. The magnitude of this event will cement the region’s reputation as a premier global destination for training and racing.”
Organizers estimate the region will take in up to 7,000 athletes, spectators, media and members of the global triathlon community.
The economic benefit to the region is expected to be in the millions, according to a media release.
“Penticton is special because of the long history of triathlon with the community, the people and the tradition of volunteerism in and support of sport,” says Les Pereira, President of Triathlon Canada.
“We are very proud to be the first country to host this event. The sport of triathlon has its roots deeply entrenched in North America and much of it's soul is in Canada.”
The four world championship races were previously hosted in separate cities on different dates; however, the International Triathlon Union – the sport’s governing body – has brought all disciplines into a single venue to create a more exciting event. Additionally, the world championship event aquabike will be contested for the first time next August.
“For the first time, athletes can compete in more than one Multisport World Championship race in one convenient location, which is an idea we’ve had a great response from age group athletes,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado.
“Penticton will set the stage for the future of the event. We are very confident in the team’s ability to deliver an exceptional experience that will set the bar of this festival very high.”
