Swansea to host world para series
SWANSEA has been announced as the host city for Britain’s first-ever standalone World Triathlon Para Series event and will see the world’s best paratriathletes head to South Wales on Saturday, August 6, next year.
This year saw Leeds host a Para Series race in Britain for the first time as part of the established AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Series Leeds, with 2022 seeing the Prince of Wales Dock welcome disabled triathletes of all levels for a Para Sport Festival that will include World Triathlon Para Series action as a standout point of the day.
Delivered for the first-time next year, the event will take place in Swansea each year through to the
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and be delivered by British Triathlon in collaboration with UK Sport, World Triathlon, Welsh Triathlon, the Welsh Government and Swansea City Council in what will be a first for the national governing body.
Tokyo 2020 saw British paratriathletes return with a medal of each colour and Paralympians from Britain and around the world are expected to take part in the event next summer.
Alongside the elite and pathway action will also be open paratriathlon and triathlon participation races and disability sport activities for a number of para sports, giving anyone and everyone the chance to take part during the day.
The multi-year plan for creating a hub of paratriathlon and para sport in Swansea is part of British Triathlon’s new major event strategy. The new strategy runs through to Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supports the development of athletes on the World Class Programme and event delivery across Britain.
As part of the strategy, British Triathlon are committing to hosting World Triathlon Championship and Para Series events to bring the world’s best triathletes and paratriathletes to Britain and providing home events for British athletes. There is also commitment to growing domestic pathway events to further support up-and-coming athletes.
Andy Salmon, British Triathlon CEO, said: “I’m delighted that we’re able to make this announcement alongside our partners in bringing a race on the World Triathlon Para Series to Britain for the next three years.
“British paratriathletes demonstrated all that’s best with the sport in Tokyo this summer. This new event in Swansea will provide a great opportunity for these athletes to race on home soil through to the next Games.”
Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: “This World Triathlon Para Series race will complement Swansea’s expanding portfolio of highquality events, including August 7’s Ironman 70.3 and the annual Admiral Swansea Bay 10k.”