ITU and Ironman sign historic agreement to grow triathlon

Ironman and the Wanda Sports Holding Group announced today that they have established a cooperation framework to develop and grow triathlon.

After a week of meetings at IRONMAN headquarters in Tampa, Florida, the leaders of both organizations, including ITU President Marisol Casado and IRONMAN President and CEO Andrew Messick, have signed an historic agreement that is the culmination of several years of work together. 

A memorandum has been signed by both parties establishing the guidelines and next steps to ensure the growth and harmonization of this sport. Specifically, they have committed themselves to standardizing regulations, fighting against doping, sanctions and collaborative marketing to make sport grow at the level of age groups.

"We share a common goal, we have worked well together in recent years and we have developed confidence with ITU leaders. I believe that the conversations held are fundamental for the continuous progression of the triathlon “. comment Andrew Messick, Ironman CEO.

Among the key priorities that ITU and IRONMAN have agreed upon are the following:

• Harmonize anti-doping efforts to continue to protect clean athletes and the integrity of sport

• Work so that the ITU is recognized as the only international federation that leads the sport of triathlon

• The ITU that sanctions IRONMAN® events as international events

• The ITU will direct the coordination and communication with its National Federations to implement standardized norms

• IRONMAN will use the resources of the ITU in certain matters related to ethics, including technological fraud, code of conduct, manipulation of sports competition, etc.

• Work towards a single set of rules (ITU Regulation) for long distance triathlon starting from 2018

• Alignment of efforts to encourage the growth and development of sport specifically focused on safety, beginner athletes, the development of women in sports and education

A historic agreement signed by the two great triathlons that will undoubtedly make the triathlon grow

Further information: http://www.triathlon.org/

Photo: ITU