COVID-19 pushes back Townsville Multisport World Championships to 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt another blow to the sporting calendar, impacting Townsville’s biggest sporting event which is expected to generate millions of dollars and bring in thousands of world-class athletes.

The International Triathlon Union Multisport World Championships expected to attract more than 8000 athletes and spectators to Townsville has been postponed because of COVID-19. Photo: Delly Carr | Triathlon Australia

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt another blow to the sporting calendar.

The Multisport World Championships to be held in Townsville in August 2021 has been moved to 2022, following a decision by the Executive Board of World Triathlon.

The biggest sporting event ever to be held in Townsville is expected to inject $16 million into the local economy and bring thousands of world-class athletes and spectators to the city.

The Multisport World Championships is a 10-day event that attracts more than 8000 triathletes competing in the duathlon, long distance triathlon, aquathlon and cross triathlon world championship races organised together during a week-long festival, both for elite and age-group athletes.

Ironman senior vice president and managing director Oceania, Dave Beeche, said the decision to move the event forward one year was understandable in these complex and quickly changing times of COVID-19.

“Changing the scheduling for the Townsville event has been a very tough decision but one made in the best interest of the longevity of this wonderful event,” he said.

“The ten-day Multisport World Championships is one of the most popular and diverse events on the international calendar and we are excited to be bringing it to Australia.”

Spectators will have to wait another year to see world-class athletes compete in Townsville for the Multisport World Championships. Photo: Delly Carr | Triathlon Australia

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Miles Stewart, Triathlon Australia CEO, said given the circumstances around restricted travel and state border closures still in place within Australia, it was in the best interests of all to make this decision.

“We have a responsibility to the sport globally in minimising any impacts to the host nations, and would like to thank all involved in this resolution. We want to ensure that our members, race directors and all stakeholders maximise the benefits of hosting a home games, and the 2022 date provides that,” he said.

“This decision allows us to host qualification races with certainty, and to give as many of our athletes the chance to be on the Australian team in Townsville fully prepared.”

This year’s Multisport World Championships, due to be hosted in Almere in the Netherlands this September will now take place in 2021, while the Ibiza in Spain will host the event in 2023.

Originally published as COVID-19 pushes back Townsville Multisport World Championships to 2022