Thousands take part in 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Parade of Nations, with races kicking off on Friday morning
The Strand was a sea of flags on Thursday afternoon, as participating countries in the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville had their first races on Friday. Check out our gallery.
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The Strand was a sea of flags on Thursday afternoon, as participating countries in the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville took part in the Parade of Nations.
Welcoming the participants and their supporters to Townsville, thousands came out to cheer for the 3000 competitors from 39 different countries taking part, before gathering at Strand Park for the official opening ceremony.
Eva Chavez from Team Mexico is one of 23 athletes representing her country and for many of them it was their first time in Australia.
“We’ve been taking part in the Multisport Championships for many years,” she said.
“We are all from different cities in Mexico and we all met up and travelled through the US to get here. It was a long trip, but we are having such a great time already.”
Ms Chavez said her team was impressed by what Townsville had to offer and were looking forward to competing in the many events over the next 11 days.
“We love all the green areas because that’s something we don’t have a lot of back home,” she said.
“There is such a great amount of respect from the people here for us athletes.”
She said many of the athletes had families and friends supporting them, with many planning to stay after the championships have ended to explore more of Townsville and Australia.
“None of us have been to Australia before, so it’s a great opportunity to come here and compete.”
Travelling from Brisbane for the World Championships, athlete Melanie Kelly said it was nice to be back in Townsville where she lived 20 years ago.
Ms Kelly competed in the Sprint Dualathon on Friday morning and was happy with her result.
“I came in the top ten which was good,” she said.
“I have another event next week, the Cross Duathalon at Pallarenda Park.”
Ms Kelly was one of the many spectators and fellow athletes cheering on the juniors on Friday afternoon.
“This is my first World Championshipm but I’ve completed in other triathalons,” she said.
Ms Kelly said it was a great event and she was enjoying the Townsville weather.
Athletes from all countries will compete in 19 World Championship races across five different levels of athletes, including Age Groups, Para triathletes, Junior, Under 23 and Elites.
This is the first year the sporting event has been held in Australia, with previous events held in Canada, Denmark, Spain.
For more information check out the Multisports World Championship website.
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Originally published as Thousands take part in 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Parade of Nations, with races kicking off on Friday morning
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