Posted: February 12, 2004

Triathlon: Honolulu Triathlon Added to World Cup Schedule

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 10, 2004) - The 2004 International Triathlon Union (ITU) triathlon World Cup schedule became even more exciting Tuesday when the International Triathlon Union and USA Triathlon confirmed that Honolulu, Hawaii, will host its first triathlon World Cup on April 18.

Honolulu was chosen in part because it will also host the ITU Age Group Triathlon World Championships in October 2005, ITU President Les McDonald confirmed.

"It is ideal when a future world championship venue has the opportunity to host a World Cup event on the course in the year prior," McDonald said. "It is a good learning experience for the organizing committee and the athletes alike.

"Many of us broke into the world of endurance sport at the Honolulu Marathon and it is always wonderful to return."

The 2004 ITU Honolulu World Cup will be an important opportunity for international athletes to gain valuable ITU points as they try to achieve a top-125 ranking, which is necessary for Olympic qualifying. It will be doubly important for U.S. triathletes, as it will serve as the first U.S. Olympic Trials for Triathlon. The top U.S. male and female finisher will qualify for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team.

The ITU has waived the World Cup athlete limit for U.S. athletes for Hawaii, meaning any U.S. athlete ranked in the ITU top 125 will be allowed to compete. The Honolulu ITU World Cup will be the only World Cup race in the United States in 2004 and it will also serve as the elite qualifier for the 2004 ITU Triathlon World Championships in Madeira, Portugal.

"We are truly excited about how this has all come together," said USA Triathlon Deputy Director Tim Yount. "Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen, including the ITU, the U.S. Olympic Committee, race producer John Korff, race director Bill Burke and Mr. Jeremy Harris, the mayor of Honolulu."

Honolulu, a popular vacation destination, is ideal for triathletes and the World Cup course is among the most scenic in the world. Athletes will swim 1.5 kilometers in the temperate waters off Waikiki Beach, then cycle along a five-lap 40k, spectator-friendly course that climbs up to the spectacular Diamond Head Volcano. The 10k run will loop around Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head.

The race will be televised worldwide to more than one billion homes. The ITU television package includes one hour of national coverage in the United States, Japan, and throughout the world, with prime coverage in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

For more information on the ITU World Cup series visit www.triathlon.org.