International Triathlon Union Turns 25

In addition to being April Fool’s Day, yesterday also marked the International Triathlon Union’s 25th anniversary. A number of event are slated throughout the ITU season to mark the sport’s milestone, including gala occasions in Edmonton and Avignon this summer.

From the inaugural Congress and World Championships in Avignon in 1989, ITU has rapidly developed into a strong worldwide force with more than 160 National Federations.

“We will be making announcements throughout the year to celebrate our short but rich history as an International Federation,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “We have come so far in such a brief time thanks to so many dedicated volunteers, athletes, coaches, staff and triathlon enthusiasts. This is a time to reflect on where we have come from and to forge ahead in our goals to grow the sport.”

Triathlon continues to grow at impressive rates as evidenced by the continued success of the World Cup circuit, which began back in 1991, as well as the creation of the globally broadcasted ITU World Triathlon Series. Additionally, ITU’s worldwide sport development initiatives have been consistently growing and thriving, from grassroots to high performance level, ensuring the sport’s accessibility on all continents.

More information on these events will be made available via triathlon.org and the ITU Facebook and Twitter accounts.