Posted: January 25, 2005

Triathlon: USAT & Florida NTC End Relationship

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 25, 2005) - USA Triathlon officials and South Lake Hospital confirmed today that the current contract between the two organizations for the National Training Center in Clermont, Fla., will not be renewed. Officials with USAT and South Lake Hospital will continue discussions regarding future projects together, but the two organizations have elected not to continue with the name lease agreement. South Lake Hospital will continue to own and operate the National Training Center.

“Everything is amicable,” said USA Triathlon Board of Directors President Brad Davison. “We appreciate the great relationship we have had with South Lake Hospital." “South Lake Hospital has enjoyed its partnership with USA Triathlon and we look forward to continuing a relationship with them,” said Leslie Longacre, Executive Director/CEO of South Lake Hospital. “USAT has been a great partner and has done a tremendous job in furthering the sport of triathlon, especially in Central Florida.”

All programs and services of South Lake Hospital's National Training Center will continue to be offered to the 3500 community members and national and international athletes who come to train in south Lake County. The USA Triathlon logo will be removed from the building during the next 60 days, and a new logo is being designed. All full-time USA Triathlon employees who worked at the National Training Center have relocated to the USAT National Office in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“The National Training Center is a world-class fitness and training facility for everyone,” said John Moore, Administrator of Campus Development. “We have a wide variety of athletes who use the facility and components of the NTC campus throughout the year.” Moore and Davison said future discussions may include components of camps and clinics offered by USAT at the National Training Center.

The National Training Center opened on the South Lake Hospital campus in August 2001. In 2004, more than 11,000 athletes - from sports including triathlon, soccer, race walking, flag football, swimming and track & field - trained or competed at the National Training Center.

Source: BJ Evans, USA Triathlon