ATHLONE ANNOUNCED AS LOCATION FOR EUROPEAN TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS
2010

Last week the European Triathlon Union (ETU) announced that Athlone will host the 2010 European Triathlon Championships. This will be the first time that Ireland will host such a prestigious event which is the highlight of the European triathlon calendar.

Athlone was represented by a bid delegation comprising the organisers of the triAthlone which has been sponsored by Waterways Ireland since its inception last year.

Liam Heavin, Chairman of the triAthlone organising committee spoke of the significance of the announcement for Athlone.

He said, "The decision of the ETU to choose Athlone confirms the potential and scope Ireland has to host international sporting events. We are extremely proud to bring this sporting event to Athlone and would like to acknowledge the backing of the title sponsors, Waterways Ireland, whose support of the event was crucial for the success of the bid".

Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing and Communications with Waterways Ireland spoke of the significance of the announcement for the inland waterways.

He said, "Waterways Ireland was delighted to play an instrumental role in attracting a major sporting event to Ireland. This event will create an even greater awareness of the unique recreational resource that is the inland waterway system. I would like to congratulate the triAthlone organising committee on a superb achievement and I hope that we will be able to look forward to a successful bid to host a World Championships in Athlone in the future".

The 2007 Waterways Ireland triAthlone, which takes place on July 14th, will see over 1,300 competitors take part in what will be Ireland's biggest ever triathlon and one of the largest races in Europe this year.

The River Shannon will provide a spectacular backdrop to the event which 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.

Further information on the Waterways Ireland triAthlone 2007 is available from info@triathlone.com or from the event website www.triathlone.com.

- ends -

Further info from:
Karen Cunningham, Waterways Ireland triAthlone, 00 353 87 217 4112, karen@triathlone.com, or
Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 353 71 965 0787 or 00 353 87 991 8412.

Date: 06.07.07
PR07011

Competitors lining up for the start of the triAthlone in 2006