The Men’s and Women’s Paratriathlon PT1 sport class will be included at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games as the sport debuts on the Commonwealth Games programme for the first time.
“Having paratriathlon included on the programme for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is great news,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “I can’t imagine a better place for paratriathlon to be tested on the Commonwealth Games programme than Gold Coast, which hosts many ITU events & is a mecca for the sport of triathlon. Paratriathletes will no doubt enjoy fantastic support in the coastal city.”
The Gold Coast has served as a consistent host of ITU events, hosting the first ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final back in 2009. It returned to the Series line up last year, and will host a World Triathlon Series race until 2018, when it will again organize the Grand Final.
“The Gold Coast will be a hub for triathlon and paratriathlon activity at both the elite and age group level in 2018 with both the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final and the Commonwealth Games hosted there,” said Casado.
Welcoming the inclusion, Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE said: “We’re thrilled to be working with ITU and Gold Coast 2018 organisers GOLDOC and debut Paratriathlon on the CGF sports programme at the upcoming edition of the Commonwealth Games. Building on the enormous success and profile of the Triathlon competition at Glasgow 2014 and internationally, I’ve no doubt that this will be an incredibly exciting addition to the Games schedule”.
Paratriathlon will also debut at the Paralympic Games this summer with the men’s PT1, PT2 and PT4 sport classes set to compete, while the women’s PT2, PT4 and PT5 sport classes will battle for Paralympic glory.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games will boast the largest-ever para-sport programme in history, comprising up to 300 para-athletes and 38 medal events across 7 sports, will be showcased at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Today’s announcement represents an increase of 45% more athletes and 73% more medals compared to the record-breaking para-sport competition at Glasgow 2014.
Additional sports to be contested at Gold Coast 2018 include Athletics, Cycling (Track), Lawn Bowls, Powerlifting, Swimming, and Table Tennis.
There will be an equal number of men’s and women’s events across all seven para-sports, further demonstrating the Commonwealths Sports Movement’s commitment to equality and inclusion.
