WTS Hamburg and Relay Worlds to take place “under controlled conditions” without any Canadians
Canadian athletes unable to participate in the restart of the WTS season due to federal travel advisories
Photo by:
Kevin Mackinnon
According to a release from the officials at the ITU World Triathlon Series Hamburg and the Mixed Relay World Championship, the events will take place “under controlled conditions” in the Hamburg city park in the Winterhude district rather than the usual downtown venue.
Saturday, Sept. 5 will feature a sprint-distance triathlon that will feature defending world champions Katie Zaferes (USA) and Vincent Luis (FRA) along with two-time Olympic medalist, Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) and former world champions Mario Mola (ESP), Flora Duffy (BER) and Vicky Holland (GBR).
According to today’s release, 22 teams will take part in the Mixed Relay World Championship on Sunday, Sept. 6, including two-time defending champion France expected to be challenged for a three-peat by teams from USA, Great Britain and Germany.
The events will all be streamed on triathlonlive.tv
Unfortunately there won’t be any Canadians in the field.
“Triathlon Canada has been consistent with its support of the federal travel advisories, the COC/CPC’s position on the postponed Games and the continued risk mitigations that Canadian citizens are upholding,” Eugene Liang, Triathlon Canada’s High Performance director confirmed in an email. “Additionally, we have continued to work with ITU to inform them that Triathlon Canada has yet to have confirmation of travel medical insurance that will cover any COVID related issues during a federal travel advisory. As the ITU rules require the NSO to verify insurance for all athletes we put on the start lists, Triathlon Canada is unable to place athletes on the start list until we can confirm an insurer will cover COVID related issues during the travel advisory.”
Organizers will be following strict health guidelines for the race developed by the Ironman Group “as well as standards and recommendations of the World Health Organzation (WHO) and the Global Medical Advisory Board of the Ironman Group,” today’s release continued. “In addition, this concept is based on the guidelines of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the German Triathlon Union (DTU), which regulate the requirements for the admission of athletes and trainer to the competitions.”
