A Rift In Europe
from
ITU Press Release
on
December 8, 2000
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It is no secret that the ITU and the European Triathlon Union (ETU) are not on good terms. However, not all of the nations in the ETU are in agreement. The result of this disagreement is the newly formed Triathlon Council in Europe, reportedly supported by Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Switzerland.
The ITU has reported in the following press releases that the ETU has made a decision to end its affiliation with the ITU. The ETU has responded by saying that they have made no such decision, and further, it is not possible for a regional federation to even be affiliated with the ITU - only National Federations are affiliated with the ITU. Listed below are two press releases on the topic sent out by the ITU on Thursday, December 7:
Triathlon Council in Europe
Affiliated to the International Triathlon Union
To the Presidents and EB Members of the European Triathlon Federations
Dear Presidents and EB members
I enclose a press release that was sent out today. You should already be aware that ETU is not affiliated to the ITU.
In future our regional athletes will not be able to gain qualification points through the existing Regional Championships for purposes of World Championships and the Olympic Games. For this reason we sought a way to ensure that the European Athletes are able to enjoy the same qualification process as other Regions under the umbrella of the ITU.
The representatives of the National Federations of Denmark, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Spain and Switzerland, assembled in Paris and decided that they would not renew their affiliation to the ETU both for 2001 and in the future. These federations are currently affiliated to the ITU, for which the documentation has recently been sent out by Mark Sisson, prior to the deadline of 1st January 2001.
Our action, taken in Paris, will ensure that in the future Athletes from NF's in Europe who are affiliated to the ITU will be able to race in all places around the World, including World Championships and Olympic games without any inequality.
If you have any question please feel free to contact:
Mick English, President 0044 11 59 301 487 or
Carsten Ditlefsen, Secretary General, 0045 75 35 36, mobile 0045 21 42 65 36
Following the decision of the ETU Executive that the European Region is not affiliated in any shape or form to the International Triathlon Union , officers of the following National Triathlon Federations met in Paris 2, 3 December 2000.
Denmark France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Switzerland.
The assembled officers who represent the vast majority of athletes in Europe and with the exception of Greece and Denmark have conducted highly successful ITU events both World Championships and World Cup events.
The attendees agreed to form a council for the purpose of:
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Continuing the strong commitment to the Olympic Programme Status, and the ideals of Olympism.
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Working for the qualification of European athletes for both World Championships,
Olympic Games and other multi-sport events, through ITU qualifying events in Europe.
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Pledging to support the principles, constitution, policies, rules and regulations and
The ITU Executive Board gave immediate recognition to the new Triathlon Council in Europe
to allow them to proceed and amalgamate other Federations in Europe and establish an event in 2001 as a qualifying competition for athletes for the World Championships, all other multi-games and from 2002 on for the Olympic Games.
The Triathlon Council in Europe will present the new body to the next ITU Congress 2001 and in the meantime Pro-term EB has been elected:
President Mick English GBR
Vice President Marisol Casado ESP
Vice President Andreas Arvanitis GRE
Secretary General Carsten Ditlefsen DEN
Treasurer Angelo Bonizi ITA
ITU Representative Anne-Marie Gschwend SUI
Board Members Enrique Quesada ESP
Event Coordinator Michel Gignoux FRA
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