The dates for the 2021 ITU Multisport World Championships and the ten day event schedule has been announced, with the City of Townsville to host more than 8,000 local and international multisport athletes and supporters between Friday 6 August – Sunday 15 August 2021.
The fifth ITU Multisport World Championships will covers a range of disciplines including sprint and standard Duathlon, Cross Triathlon, Aquathon, Aqua bike, Long Distance Triathlon and Mixed Team Relay.
The ITU Multisport World Championships, a partnership between The City of Townsville, Tourism and Events Queensland, IRONMAN Group Oceania, Triathlon Australia and Townsville Enterprise, will be the biggest sporting event ever to be held in Townsville.
IRONMAN Group Oceania has been trusted with delivering the high profile event and Managing Director, Dave Beeche said the 2021 ITU Multisport World Championships would be an event to remember.
“Since the ITU Multisport World Championships debuted three years ago it has quickly grown into one of the most popular and diverse events. There is something for every athlete and we look forward to producing a Multisport World Championships that is truly memorable and introducing the City of Townsville to athletes, families and friends from all over the globe.”
“The ITU Multisport World Championships are going to be an outstanding event that will have significant benefits for Townsville and the local region. Now the dates have been announced, everyone is urged to mark them in their diaries,” he said.
ITU President and IOC member Marisol Casado said it is a great pleasure for us to return to Australia for one of the ITU’s greatest events, the Multisport World Championships.
“With three editions of this event already completed – Penticton in Canada; Fyn in Denmark, Pontevedra in Spain, and one more coming up in Almere, the Netherlands, we can say from experience that combining these five World Championships in a week of triathlon, is the perfect scenario for athletes, spectators, sponsors and media, and the impact that has on a region is fabulous.”
“I am one hundred per cent convinced that with the incredible set up of Townsville, the love and support for triathlon in all the region and the fantastic team that is delivering the event the 2021 ITU Multisport World Championships will be one for the history books,” she said.
Triathlon Australia CEO Miles Stewart welcomed the announcement of dates for the Multisport World Championships following the overwhelming feedback from the triathlon community on the event.
“It’s a question that our triathlon community has been anticipating since the announcement to lock into their calendars and start preparation to qualify through the nominated events next season.”
“There’s no prouder moment than representing your country, and even more special on home soil.”
“We’re confident this will be the largest Australian team to contest the ITU Multisport World Championships.”
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the event was expected to pump $16 million into the local economy.
“More than 8,000 athletes and supporters will descend on Townsville in August 2021 and more visitors means more local jobs in the tourism sector,” Ms Jones said.
“The Queensland Government supports events such as these because they are a platform to showcase our unique tourism experiences as well as driving visitation, generating economic benefit and supporting local jobs.”
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill welcomed the announcement and said it cements Townsville’s standing as a premier sporting destination.
“It’s expected Townsville will play host to up to 8,000 athletes competing for world titles which is a huge boost for our city,” Cr Hill said.
“Townsville is the sports, arts and culture capital of Northern Australia and high-profile events like the ITU World Championships put us on the world stage.”
Townsville Triathlon Festival president Jamie Fitzpatrick said “Our committee is proud to have played a part in Townsville securing the largest participatory sporting event North Queensland has ever seen. We are excited that the date announcements and schedule incorporate our existing Festival, allowing our local athletes to compete on the World Championship course. The atmosphere of these World Championships will be incredible and will provide a great legacy for our event in years to come.”
The 2021 ITU Multisport Championships, Townsville is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, worth $880m to the state’s economy in 2020.
Noel McMahon IRONMAN Media Manager (Oceania) M: +61 455 091 476 E: noel.mcmahon@ironman.com
About The IRONMAN Group
As part of Wanda Sports Group, The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series®, IRONKIDS®, ITU World Triathlon Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and The Sun-Herald City2Surf® presented by Westpac, Ultra-Trail® World Tour events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with more than 235 events across 55+ countries. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.
About Wanda Sports Group
Wanda Sports Group (Nasdaq: WSG) is a leading global sports events, media and marketing platform with a mission to unite people in sports and enable athletes and fans to live their passions and dreams. Through our businesses, including Infront and The IRONMAN Group, we have significant intellectual property rights, long-term relationships and broad execution capabilities, enabling us to deliver unrivalled sports event experiences, creating access to engaging content and building inclusive communities. We offer a comprehensive array of events, marketing and media services through three primary segments: Mass Participation, Spectator Sports and Digital, Production, Sports Solutions (DPSS). Our full-service platform creates value for our partners and clients as well as other stakeholders in the sports ecosystem, from rights owners, to brands and advertisers, and to fans and athletes.
Headquartered in Beijing, China, Wanda Sports Group has more than 60 offices and 1,600 employees around the world.
