IRONMAN and ITU Forms Historic Partnership
After the long wait, the IRONMAN and the International Triathlon Union (ITU) are finally one.
The rumor mill started after IRONMAN bought Lagardère Sport’s endurance division. It’s no secret that along with the acquision, came owning rights to some races that make up the ITU world championship series.
And then the bombshell.
After a series of meetings at the IRONMAN headquarters in Tampa, Florida, and with the goal of further developing the sport, IRONMAN and the ITU has agreed on a partnership that ensures the continued growth of triathlon on a global scale. The partnership will focus on a standard set of rules, increased anti doping efforts, unified sanctions, and an all out effort to develop the sport in the age group level.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
“We share a common goal, have worked well together in recent years, and have developed trust in the ITU leadership group. I believe that the productive conversations that led to this milestone are pivotal for the continued progression of triathlon.” said IRONMAN President and Chief Executive Andrew Messick. “Our collaboration with the ITU is of considerable importance for the prolonged and continuous growth of triathlon.”
For the International Triathlon Union, ITU President and International Olympic Committee Member Marisol Casado added “the best way to grow triathlon, and improve the sport at all levels, is to do so together. “Continuing strong collaboration with IRONMAN will serve to further evolve triathlon across the world. I look forward to many more fruitful meetings, and creating the best possible environments for athletes, following this cornerstone moment.”
There could be a lot of implications about this partnership specifically when it comes to bikes. Would the ITU now have a say on the types of bikes allowed? One only needs to look at Ventum, a major sponsor of last year’s IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. That bike is FAR from being ITU legal. So is the FELT IA, and many more.
Truth be told, the WTC is doing pretty well without the sanctioning of the ITU. But having so would definitely solidify WTC’s global dominance should they also gain rights to the ITU world/euro/regional championship events.
One benefit the WTC would also get from this partnership is that select Ironman events can now be branded as ITU sanctioned international competitions. The organisations will also work towards a single set of ITU rules for long-distance triathlon beginning in 2018.
Among the key priorities the ITU and IRONMAN have agreed to, are the following:
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- Harmonizing anti-doping efforts to continue to protect clean athletes and the integrity of the sport
- Working towards ITU being recognized as the singular international federation leading the sport of triathlon
- The ITU sanctioning select IRONMAN events as international events
- The ITU leading coordination and communication with its member National Federations to implement standardized rules and reinforce the ITU’s “Clean, Fair & Safe” mandate
- IRONMAN will leverage ITU resources in certain ethics-related matters, including technological fraud, code of conduct, manipulating of sport competition, etc.
- Working toward a single set of rules (ITU Competition Rules) for long-distance triathlon beginning in 2018
- Developing an athlete-focused edition of those rules with specific distance categories
- Alignment of efforts to foster the growth and development of the sport specifically focused on safety, first-time athletes, development of women in the sport, and education
For more information on the ITU, visit www.triathlon.org.
