ITU and DTU Announce New Hamburg Triathlon World Cup Agreement

February 26, 2002- The International Triathlon Union (ITU) today announced the signing of an agreement with the Deutsche Triathlon Union (DTU) to hold an ITU Triathlon World Cup event in the city of Hamburg, Germany. Entitled the Holsten Cityman ITU World Cup Hamburg, the race - the first ever ITU World Cup event in Germany - will take place on September 7 and 8. This agreement not only expands the number of World Cup events in Europe, but also heralds a new era of cooperation and partnership between ITU and DTU. To maximize television and spectator exposure, the women will compete on Saturday the 7th and the men on Sunday the 8th.

Hamburg, in addition to being known as the City of Media, is host to other notable international sporting events such as the Hausaplast Marathon and HEW Cyclassics. Hamburg is also a bid city hoping to host the 2012 Olympic Games. ITU Secretary General Mark Sisson said, "The ITU World Cup Triathlon, which draws the best triathletes from around the world, will present a perfect showcase for this historic city. In addition, Hamburg Alster forms a natural arena for triathlon, which will benefit both athletes and spectators."

The event will also serve as a qualifying event for the 2002 ITU Triathlon World Championships and as an opportunity for athletes to gain valuable points in the ITU World rankings, which will be used to help qualify athletes and their National Federations for spots on the starting line of the Olympic triathlon in Athens 2004.