2016 ITU Paratriathlon World Champs goes to Rotterdam
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced that the 2016 ITU Paratriathlon World Championships have been awarded to Rotterdam in The Netherlands, to be held on July 23 to 24, 2016.
The event will take place at the same venue as the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final. The World Championship titles will be up for grabs before the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games where paratri will be making its debut.
“We are thrilled to see Rotterdam host the Paratriathlon World Championships next year,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “Paratriathlon will be at the height of attention next year as athletes prepare to participate in the Paralympics for the first time. It will be a great opportunity for the citizens of Rotterdam to see the future Paralympic stars in action before they take off to Rio.”
Rotterdam Vice Mayor Adriaan Visser, also Alderman for Sports, Culture and Finance, said “The athletes will find Rotterdam as a modern, sport loving and welcoming city. The year 2016 is an important year because of the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. On that account we will guarantee the best circumstances for all athletes and for the ITU to make this World Championships a great success.”
Rotterdam will mark the first time that the Paratriathlon World Championships are contested as a stand-alone event, as athletes prepare for the Paralympics just two months later making 2016 a cornerstone year for the sport. While select sport classes will compete in Rio, all five sport classes will be present at the World Championships in Rotterdam.
The final race program, including events for both elite and age group athletes, will be announced shortly.
from press release
