Posted: May 20, 2004

Triathlon: Olympic Bid Boost As London Confirmed As Worlds Largest Triathlon

Organisers of The Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon are delighted to announce that, with nearly 8,000 entrants, London will host the largest triathlon in the world, coinciding perfectly with the recent success of London's Olympic 2012 bid in reaching the final five.

London 2012 will work alongside The Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon to showcase London's ability to stage a world-class sporting event where organisers will close the streets to bring in some of the cities most famous landmarks including Tower Bridge, The London Eye and Big Ben on July 31 - August 1.

With entrants in the swim, bike, run event up 50% on 2003, charities are currently dealing with a raft of applications from hundreds of triathletes who missed the ballot, while many people are still making the transition to triathlon by entering as a relay team of three before the July 2 deadline.

2004 also sees some impressive developments including all Sunday competitors taking in London's finest sites on the new bike route into Central London while the event continues to draw high profile charity fundraisers such as Alastair Campbell who's leading a team for Leukaemia Research Fund that includes newsreader Jon Snow.

For the first time the event will also showcase The London Triathlon Expo, a free interactive sports and fitness exhibition open to all spectators and competitors running alongside the Triathlon, which features a wide range of exhibitors, seminars and alternative fitness zones - an ideal opportunity for future triathletes to learn more.

Rod Alexander, Chairman of the Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon commented: "We are delighted to be the world's largest triathlon and are very much looking forward to helping the 2012 bid any way we can. As well as the overall increase in numbers we have 50% of participants trying this fantastic Olympic sport for the first time as well as more women taking part. Overall we feel confident the event will continue to grow over the coming years."

Information on Michelob ULTRA
* Michelob ULTRA is a smooth, refreshing 5 percent alcohol by volume premium lager, containing 3.0 grams of carbohydrates and 106 calories per 330 ml bottle.
* In addition to title sponsorship of The Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon, Michelob ULTRA is also the Official Beer sponsor of the 2005 Flora London Marathon. The brand also sponsors the Chicago Triathlon, as well as American adventurer Steve Fossett's Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer and his altitude glider and speed sailing programs; PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and LPGA Tour, including the LPGA Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill; POLAR FIRST, an attempt to fly a helicopter around the world via the South and North Poles; and Live Broadway, including musicals "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in the US and London, and "Movin' Out" in New York.

Information on The Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon:
* Triathlon is the world's fastest growing multi discipline sport
* 50% of participants in The Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon are first timers to the sport
* The Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon is aiming to raise over £1 million for charity in 2004
* The event will also incorporate The London Triathlon Expo - the exhibition for the sports industry where over 30,000 sports enthusiasts will come to shop, watch and learn
* For more information on The Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon or an entry form please call 020 7559 2929, e-mail: info@thelondontriathlon.com or visit our website on www.thelondontriathlon.com