World Triathlon Corporation announced today that Thomas G. Cooney would be heading race operations for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. As the event manager, Cooney will be responsible for the technical aspects of triathlon's crown jewel.

“Our board of directors is committed to keeping the Ironman Triathlon World Championship the sport's preeminent event, and to do so we knew we needed someone with Tom's experience, expertise and talent to take the event to the next level,” said Lew Friedland, WTC president. “We have no doubt that this year's 25^th Anniversary race will set the standard for many great races to come in Kona.”

Cooney has more than 30 years experience in the sports and event industry, having served as the race director for several key events including the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge (Chicago) since 1989. Today, the event hosts more than 18,000 athletes.

“I am honored and excited to be named the event manager of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship,” said Cooney. “I am looking forward to working with the World Triathlon Corporation, the local race directors and the Kailua-Kona community in building on their efforts over the past 24 years and continuing the tradition of the Hawaii Ironman.”

Cooney has been involved with the Chicago Triathlon since its beginning in 1984 and served as race director from 1985-1989. Today, the event is the world's largest triathlon. He also served as the race director for the America's Paradise Triathlon in St. Croix from 1989 to 1992 and the Powerman Duathlon in Zofingen, Switzerland from 1990 to 1994. Over the years, many high-profile events have utilized Cooney's expertise including the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, Chicago Triathlon, Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon, Ironman Florida Triathlon and the Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon to name a few. He has also organized sporting events around marquee events including the Kentucky Derby Mini-Marathon and the Indy 500 Mini-Marathon. More recently, Cooney was appointed the technical advisor for the USA Men's Olympic Marathon Trials, which will be held in Birmingham, Alabama in February 2004. Cooney coached varsity track and field for eight years and has been honored as Professor Emeritus at Loyola University.

Working closely with Cooney will be Ironman North America's Graham Fraser and 1994 Ironman champion Greg Welch, who is WTC's newly appointed technical advisor. Rounding out the event team will be a full-time Kona-based event director who will be announced in the next few weeks.

“I was excited to hear of the news regarding Tom Cooney being named the event manager for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship,” said Greg Welch. “I first met Tom in 1989 in Chicago where he was the race director of the very popular and successful Chicago Sun Times triathlon now the Chicago Triathlon. He was very accommodating to the pros and his team knows how to put on a first class event. The best thing about Tom is that he listens and he approaches everything and everyone with passion.”