NEWS

The Countdown Is On For 2012

By Fergus Murray | 31 Oct, 2009
2009 London Men

With exactly 1000 days left to the beginning of London 2012, detailed planning has already begun to make the triathlon event even more spectacular than previous years. Staging one of the most spectator friendly events in London’s city centre means years of detailed planning and organisation for the teams involved. Last week the ITU technical delegate team conducted their latest site visit and planning meeting with the London Organising Committee. Next year marks the beginning of the Olympic qualification period for the 2012 Games triathlon.

The two day extensive schedule included discussions on the venue and the exact course layout. Once the route of the course is confirmed by the relevant authorities of London, details will be released. It is expected that the triathlon course will pass some of the most iconic sights of London, making it another fantastic showcase for the sport which opened up the Sydney Olympic Games in such spectacular fashion.

The legacy of the Olympic Games is strong within triathlon, with Sydney opening the 2010 Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series in the same fashion as it did the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and Beijing hosting the 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Grand Final on the 2008 Olympic venue.

Planning such a large scale event in a city such as London is no easy task, with road closures, security, safety and stadium construction all having to be considered carefully.

This year’s London leg of the Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series, gave a small taste of what to expect in 2012. However in 2009 the course was mainly confined to the Hyde Park location. With the possibility of the Olympic course taking in the main sites of the city, excitement is building already for the elites and age groupers for future years.  Registration will open shortly for the age group races at the London leg of the 2010 Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series. With the possibility of racing in the Olympic venue, places are sure to sell out fast.

The athletes are getting in on the London Olympic action too with World Champion Alistair Brownlee last week chosen as one of the six athletes to unveil the London 2012 pictograms. Alistair continued his busy media commitments with a visit to Stratford Station for a press launch and photo shoot. After his unbeaten run of five events this year, including a tremendous win on home soil, pressure is mounting on the UK athlete as talk has begun of a gold medal in 2012. Only time will tell but one thing we have learned from past years is that the competition will be fierce come race day.