ITU and Ironman announced today that they have agreed to a historic cooperation framework to further develop and grow triathlon. After a week of meetings at Ironman headquarters in Tampa, Florida, senior leaders from both organisations, including ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado and Ironman President and CEO Andrew Messick, agreed on a historic growth framework that is the culmination of several years of work together.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by both parties citing key priorities and next steps to ensure the growth and harmonisation of the sport. In particular, the MOU focused on standardised rules, further collaboration on anti-doping efforts, national federation relations, sanctioning, a single-set of rules, and collaborative marketing initiatives to grow the sport at the age-group level.
“Our collaboration with the ITU is of considerable importance for the prolonged and continuous growth of triathlon,” said Messick. “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.”
“The best way to grow triathlon, and improve the sport at all levels, is to do so together,” said Casado. “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.”
Among the key priorities the ITU and Ironman have agreed to, are the following:
- Harmonising anti-doping efforts to continue to protect clean athletes and the integrity of the sport
- Working towards ITU being recognised 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 standardised 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 towards 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
