Edmonton has become only the second city in the world to host the International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Grand Final three times. The only other city to do so was Lausane, Switzerland.
An estimated 5,000 athletes will flock to Alberta’s capital for the event in 2020.
“The Grand Final is the premiere ITU triathlon event, so this is a huge victory for Canada, and an exciting day for our sport,” Triathlon Canada President Les Pereira said. “Edmonton has a rich history in staging world-leading triathlon events, and as a result, has ignited the Olympic and Paralympic dream for many of our elite Canadian athletes who have watched the world’s best compete at Hawrelak Park in past years.”
Edmonton hosted the ITU Grand Final in 2001 and 2014. That year, the organizing committee had just 18 months to prepare for it. This time around, organizers will have four years to get ready.
“Repeat customers tell you you’re doing something right,” Mayor Don Iveson said. “I heard nothing but good feedback from folks from the international triathlon community after the 2014 Grand Final that we hosted. So, I’m not surprised, actually.
“It’s going to be just a phenomenal opportunity to showcase Edmonton once again.”
The 2020 event includes plans for a major route change.
“We have to improve,” Sheila O’Kelly, executive director of the Edmonton Triathlon Academy said. “We have to find ways to make it more exciting and we have to find ways to showcase the downtown – the arena and all the buildings that are going up down there – we want to bring the bike into that area.
“It will essentially mean two transitions,” O’Kelly explained. “We haven’t defined it yet but that’s what it’ll mean.”
Organizers are looking forward to returning to Edmonton.
“Edmonton has been a staple city on the ITU calendar for many years,” ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado said. “The city provides unprecedented support to the event… It will be a fantastic place to end the 2020 season after the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Official dates for the 2020 Grand Final have not yet been announced.
With files from Quinn Phillips, Global News