Posted: May 25, 2004

Triathlon: Olympic Spots on the Line at Edmonton's Triathlon Festival

EDMONTON, May 20: Membership of Canada’s Olympic triathlon team will be resolved, based on performances at this year’s Edmonton Triathlon World Cup races on July 11th. Several Canadian triathletes will be seeking results that could see them named to the Olympic team. Based on international rankings, Canada is eligible to send up to three women and two men to Athens. At this time, current Olympic champion, Simon Whitfield, top ranked Canadian woman, Jill Savege, and Commonwealth Games champion, Carol Montgomery, are the only Canadians who have achieved both the ITU and COC Olympic standards.

“Having our event as the deciding factor in naming the Canadian team for Athens adds an exciting dimension to this year’s World Cup races,” said J.D. Hole, Chair of Edmonton World Cup Triathlon. “It would be wonderful to see the team named here continue the medal tradition set by Simon Whitfield at triathlon’s Olympic debut in Sydney in 2000.

Hole went on to say, “This is the sixth consecutive year of international triathlon events in Edmonton, and our event has become recognized as one of the best organized events on the ITU World Cup circuit.”

The triathlon events will again be held in Hawrelak Park. In addition to the Men’s and Women’s World Cup races, the line up of events for this year’s activities also include the Pan-American Junior Championship, featuring international junior athletes, and the Provincial Age-Group Championship. Returning, by popular demand, will be the one-lap “Try-this-Tri” and “Try-ing for Kids” races. Local politicians and business leaders will be competing in the latter to raise funds for two local children’s charities.

“Kid’s Kottage and ABC Headstart are tremendous organizations,” said Alberta Minister of Economic Development, Mark Norris. “Raising funds to support their programs is a special priority for me; and I am very proud to be associated with the triathlon again this year. I am 100% committed to making sure this event will be another success.”

The Canadian team, named following this year’s Edmonton World Cup Triathlon, will also gain a financial benefit from the event.

“To support this year’s Canadian Olympic triathlon team, our local organizing committee has launched a special fundraising initiative – Friends of Olympic Triathletes (FOOT)”, said Sheila O’Kelly, Executive Director of Edmonton World Cup Triathlon. “Our goal is to raise $15,000 to assist the Olympic triathlon team heading to Athens this summer. The funds will be used to help the team, which will be forced to live in accommodation close to the race site – some distance from the Olympic village in Athens. We’ve raised about half of our goal and hope to achieve the balance through corporate sponsorships and individual donations.”

Participating in today’s announcement at Edmonton City Hall was Brent McMahon, Canada’s #2 ranked man. Brent may still be seeking a strong performance at the Edmonton event to clinch the final spot available on the Olympic team.

“It has always been my goal to represent Canada at the Olympics,” said Brent. “I was injured earlier this year, which prevented me from competing, so I really want to do well in Edmonton and am hopeful of qualifying for the team. It will be great to compete in front of a Canadian crowd as I hopefully finish my Olympic qualifying journey.”

He went on to express gratitude on behalf of his fellow triathletes for the efforts of the Edmonton organizing group to raise funds through the FOOT Fund. “It will certainly be a great help for our team and help in our final preparation for the Olympics,” he added.

More than 800 athletes and 30,000 spectators are expected to attend this year’s Triathlon Festival. Grandstand tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster (780-451-8000 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.ca).

For information on the COC’s Olympic qualifying standards visit: Triathlon Canada.

The Edmonton race site is at: www.triedmonton.com.