Leeds to Host Leg of World Triathlon Series in 2016
Leeds has been chosen to host another major international sports event. It's been confirmed overnight that we'll be staging a leg of the prestigious ITU World Triathlon Series next summer. It means Olympic medallists Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee can compete in front of packed crowds in their home city.
The date and full schedule will be confirmed after the forthcoming ITU World Triathlon London on 30-31 May.
Leeds was put forward by British Triathlon, supported by UK Sport, as Britain’s candidate city following a bid to host the event led by Leeds City Council, with backing from Sport Leeds, Welcome to Yorkshire and other key stakeholders.
Great Britain’s leading triathletes will go up against the world’s best before heading to Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games.
The elite men’s and women’s races will take place over the Olympic distance, starting in Roundhay Park with a 1500m swim and finishing in the heart of city after a 40-kilometre bike ride and 10-kilometre run.
Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee as well as Leeds based stars Vicky Holland and former ITU world champion, Non Stanford, are relishing the prospect of racing in front of packed crowds and an atmosphere similar to the Tour de France Grand DĂ©part and the recent Tour de Yorkshire.
Amateur triathletes will have the opportunity to swim, bike and run on the same course as the elite competitors in mass-participation races, and the event will be supported by a range of cultural activities in the city in the build-up.
“It’s fantastic news that Leeds’ bid has been successful," says Alistair Brownlee.
"I'm sure the crowds will come out in force to see a major triathlon event in Leeds for the first time, and I’m sure it will be a brilliant event.”
Hosting the event is a major coup for Leeds, with it joining international cities such as Abu Dhabi, Gold Coast, Cape Town and Yokohama that have hosted International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series races already this year.
All events are broadcast live around the world, attracting big crowds and significant media coverage.
British Triathlon Director for Major and National Events Jon Ridgeon said: "Following six unforgettable years in Hyde Park, we are looking forward to taking the ITU World Triathlon Series to Leeds next year.
We have seen from events such as the Grand Départ and Tour de Yorkshire that Leeds has an outstanding pedigree in staging major international sporting events and we have every confidence that Yorkshire will embrace triathlon with the same enthusiasm.”
Leader-elect of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said: “This is more fantastic news for Leeds and Yorkshire – another huge global sporting event coming to our doorstep!
"The chance to see two of our best local sporting stars, Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, racing in front of their home fans as well as the other elite triathletes based in Leeds like Vicky Holland and Non Stanford will be amazing, with thousands of people I’m sure lining the entire route and willing them on."