LAUNCH OF WATERWAYS IRELAND TRIATHLONE 2006
BIDDING TO HOST EUROPEAN & WORLD TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS

John O'Donoghue, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism officially launched the Waterways Ireland triAthlone 2006 yesterday afternoon, Wednesday 28th June. The Waterways Ireland triAthlone 2006 takes place on Saturday July 8th in Athlone, Co Westmeath. The event commences with a 750m swim along the river Shannon which flows through Athlone town, followed by a 20km cycle and 5km run around and through the streets of Athlone. This is the first time that a triathlon of this size has been staged on an inland waterway. Over 600 competitors are expected to take part with up to 100 elite athletes competing in a separate event later on Saturday evening.

A large entry from Northern Ireland is confirmed including Gavin Noble from Enniskillen who came 15th in the recent Commonwealth Games in Australia. Earlier this month in Turkey he became the first Irish man to win a European Triathlon Cup Race.

The River Shannon will provide a spectacular backdrop to the swim part of the triathlon and will test the endurance of all competitors as they swim 400m upstream against the current before turning and swimming downstream for the remaining 350m.

The title sponsor for the event is Waterways Ireland, which is the North/South Body responsible for the management of the inland navigable waterway system. Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing and Communications with Waterways Ireland spoke of the significance of triAthlone. He said, "This is a unique event and one which we hope will grow to a European and even World ranking triathlon. Waterways Ireland is delighted to be title sponsor and we hope that its success will create an even greater awareness of the unique recreational resource that is the inland waterway system".

"The town of Athlone is synonymous with the river, the lake and the water; and therefore we feel it is apt that Waterways Ireland has agreed to take title sponsorship for Athlone's premier sporting event" said Liam Heavin, Head of triAthlone. "This is our first step in the bidding process for the European and World Triathlon Championships which we are hoping to host in Athlone. Together with the Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the fantastic support shown by all of our sponsors including Waterways Ireland, we feel that we are in a position to bring one of the World's biggest sporting spectaculars to Ireland" he added.

Further information on the Waterways Ireland triAthlone 2006 is available from
info@triathlone.com or from the event website, www.triathlone.com.

- ends -

Further information from:
info@triathlone.com or
Ms. Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 353 71 9650787 or 00 353 87 9918412.

Date: 29.06.2006

"Teeing off triAthlone with Minister O'Donoghue and the Ryder Cup"

Pictured from left to right: Liam Heavin, CEO, triAthlone; John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism; Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing & Communications, Waterways Ireland; and Paul Keeley, Marketing Director, Fáilte Ireland.

"Launching triAthlone - bidding for the European and World Triathlon Championships"

Pictured from left to right: Colm Breheny, Manager Professional Development, Fáilte Ireland; Liam Heavin, CEO, triAthlone; John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism; Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing & Communications, Waterways Ireland; and Paul Keeley, Marketing Director, Fáilte Ireland.