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ITU
Update: 12th Edition, 2003
U
P D A T E
7
November 2003: Update of the Current ITU News
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In this
edition….. 2.
News from the Africa: |
4.
News from Europe: |
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NEWS * FROM * ITU * COMMITTEES |
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Greetings
from IOC President Jacques Rogge to ITU Congress Delegates: On
behalf of the Olympic Movement, I would like to extend my greetings
and best wishes to all the delegates of the Congress of the International
Triathlon Union (ITU), gathered on 13 September 2003 in Nice, France.
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As you
all know, the IOC is studying ways of reducing the cost and complexity
of the Games without affecting their quality, which also remains one
of out priorities. We shall review the Olympic programme after each
edition of the Games. May I assure you that all the measures affecting
IFs will be discussed with the IFs. |
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Lausanne
will host the 2006 ITU World Championships: Nice, France:
ITU President Les McDonald writes: The International Triathlon Union
announced today that the Olympic City of Lausanne has been awarded the
2006 ITU Triathlon World Championships. |
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Sabrina
Tramparulo and Sport Minister JJ Schult
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Sport
Minister JJ Schult
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ITU
AWARDS 2004 ITU WORLD DUATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS TO GEEL, BELGIUM:
The
International Triathlon Union has announced the award of the 2004 Duathlon
World Championships to the city of Geel, Belgium. The event will take
place on the 28th - 31st May 2004. Belgium is one of the leading nations
in Duathlon worldwide with 3 gold medals won at the recent ITU World Championships
Duathlon in Affoltern, Switzerland: Benny Vansteelant (elite), Joeri Vansteelant
(under 23), Peter Croes (junior). In the words of the event organisers
"Duathlon is coming home to the Country which has the history of
producing the Worlds leading Duathletes." The city of Geel, located
in the heart of Europe, has experience with organising international duathlons
since 2001. Living duathlon legend Benny Vansteelant (BEL) has won in
Geel three times. Edwige Pitel (FRA), Erika Csomor (HUN) and Vicky Pincombe
(GB) have won the women's races in the past. The event organisers website
www.wkduathlon2004.be will go live on 15th November 2003. This announcement
will be followed shortly with further information on an anticipated 6
or 7-event programme for the 2004 ITU World Duathlon series. The 2004
Duathlon World Series will include events in Alpharetta and Cincinnati,
USA and Belfast, Northern Ireland in addition to Geel, Belgium. Events
in Australia, Canada and Italy are currently being negotiated. The 4-event
2003 World Duathlon Series culminated with the final event, 25, 26 October
in Varallo Sesia, Italy, which was also the European Championships. The
World #1's Benny Vansteelant of Belgium and Edwige Pitel of France won
the finale. With the ITU World Long Course Duathlon confirmed for the
1 August in Frederica, Denmark, 2004 promises to be an exciting year for
Duathlon within the ITU family.For more information on the 2004 Geel Duathlon
World Championships please visit www.triathlon.org or contact ITU Media
at ituhdq@triathlon.org Jan Daemes, Event Organiser writes: Our press conference to announce the awarding of the 2004 ITU Duathlon World Championships was a big success with 75 participants, 4 World/European Champions (Nenny and Joeri Vansteelant, Peter Croes and Miek Vyncke) and 12 journalists + 2 TV-teams (national - local). The news about the Duathlon 2004 WC in Geel was the first topic in the 7 o'clock sportnews!! Geel is ready to welcome the world of duathlon in 2004. |
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Benny
Vansteelant will compete at home in 2004
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Erika
Csomor, has already won on the course in Geel
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ITU
Congress 2003: Nice, France: Women's Committee Remarks: Pamela
Fralick, Chair of the ITU Women's Committee - remarks to 2003 ITU Congress.
Her words are worth listening to again.....One year ago I stood before
you and declared I did not want to give a speech; did not want there
to be a Women's Committee. I looked forward to the day when such a special
emphasis would not be needed; when the vision of our committee was a
"fait accompli". |
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Our vision
is to not only have our 50 women's spots filled at the starting line
of the next Olympics, but to have 50 more women waiting in the wings,
strong enough to qualify, if only there were 100 spots available!
The ITU Women's Committee challenges each of us to thoughtfully and meaningfully consider these questions. Now, as we sit here today, and into the future, as we continue to shape the future of our sport. To assist you in this, we will once again be calling upon you to provide us with data to help track our progress. We have a great deal to be proud of, as stated a moment ago. Let's not shy away from introspection, as one step in moving forward. Watch for our survey to arrive in the coming months. Ensure it is completed. Ensure you are helping our sport move forward, and not a barrier to this progress. Marcus Aurelius called on man (and, dare I assume he would have included women, if here before us today?!) not to be comfortable, but to be great. Let us, all of us, strive to greatness, not to comfort, as we tackle this issue of equality together. |
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2004
Snowbiz (ITU Winter Triathlon) tentative calendar: Michel Gignoux,
ITU Winter Triathlon Manager writes: The extremely hot summer over the
world must have, in some ways, slowed down the construction of the winter
season. The goal of announcing the season in July is a dream which has
not come true. Nevertheless, we kept contacting organizers and National
Federations in order to build up a program that would satisfy the athletes,
the organizers and the Federations. As for today, we are still discussing
with several LOCs for the major events of the year: Continental Championships
and World Championship. The news in 2004 comes from TV. We have negotiated a contract with BBC Worldwide for a show, to be aired in May 2004. It will be focusing on the Worlds, but other events will be included in the program. Thanks to our ITU-TV and Web Director, we will be able to have live web coverage of all events who will contract for a very reasonable fee, this new service as well as TV news produced and distributed every time a LOC is in the capacity to provide ITU with footage immediately after the race. We will continue the bonus pool prize money, to be distributed to the Top 5 in the final stage of the World Cup. The Winter Triathlon Commission has to give its final approval on the format of the Sprint for 2. Some exciting novelty could be presented. 2004 Calendar: |
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We are in contact with the USA, Canada, Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain to complete this calendar. Stay tuned with www.triathlon.org/Winter for news coming up. |
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Uniform
Guidelines: The ITU Technical
Committee would like to remind all National Federations and their Junior
and Under 23 Athletes that their uniforms at the Queenstown ITU World
Triathlon Championships need to have the athlete's surname on their
uniform as per the ITU Uniform Guidelines. Please check out these Uniform
Guidelines at www.triathlon.org.
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E W S * F R O M * A F R I C A
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Africa Will Host Record Number of ITU Events in 2004: Liesbeth Stoltz, President of the African Triathlon Union writes: Because of ITU's new policy on host regional events we are able to greatly increase the number of ITU events that will be hosted in Africa in 2004. We're not at the 15 event allocated to the region yet, but we're increasing the number of event by 500%! We are also negotiating with ITU to host an ITU Event Organisers and Officials Conference in Africa as a means to kick-off the new season. In 2004 Africa will host 6 ITU event:
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NEWS
* FROM * THE * AMERICAS
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for Event Organiser! Meet the love of
our lives, Keene Clark Meckfessel. He arrived Tuesday, September 9, 2003
at 11:25 pm, weighing in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces--much bigger than expected!
He is still in the special care nursery at the hospital while he's recovering
from a few issues resulting from a prolonged labor (19 hours!) while Mom
and Dad were discharged on Friday evening. When we left him, he was doing
very well and we expect him home sometime over the weekend. We thank you all for keeping us in your hearts and prayers and we'll try to keep you apprised of his progress. Steve and Stephanie Meckfessel, Event Organiser of the ITU St. Anthony World Cup |
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Swimming
Training for Triathlon: Neil Harvey, Swim Coach writes: My
intent with this series of articles is to take the reader through the
various aspects of preparing for the swim portion of the Triathlon.
Much has been written on swimming, both for Triathlon and for competitive
youth and masters swimming. The initial list of headings for this series
includes: essential swimming technique, seasonal training and specific
race tactics. |
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| Swimming
well begins with efficiency of movement. Efficiency is defined as economy
or ease of movement through a particular motor pattern (e.g. freestyle).
Economy of movement results from countless repetitions performed close
to perfectly. In swimming, efficiency means to travel further, and then
faster, with less effort. Efficiency is the first important issue in swimming.
How do we learn to swim efficiently? By swimming well a lot! Olbrecht (2000) defines 2 types of technical training drills: those which teach and correct movement patterns, and those which help to automate the patterns. Teaching drills must be done at the beginning of a training session following the warm-up. You are fresh and ready to learn new skills at this time. Use 25's and 50's with ample rest for best results. Plenty of feedback from the coach and video is very important. Automation drills are done during gradually longer and more intense training. Many repetitions done close to perfect form at training intensities is the goal. Swimming fast is about using efficient strokes at a relatively high rate of turnover. You will translate your highly efficient, long loose strokes into high rate swimming, without losing your hold on the water. Before beginning this type of training, you must have mastered the previously mentioned technical aspects of the stroke. When you are ready, use short distances such as 25's to work on increasing the stroke rate, while maintaining a maximum of efficiency. You will be able to measure this by swimming faster each time you increase the rate. When you swim slower at higher rates the swimming efficiency has begun to break down. Perfecting this type of training takes years of practice. Here then is the simple equation which determines swimming speed: Stroke length (efficiency) x Stroke Rate = velocity. You need to perform both variables well in order to truly swim fast. I would place a greater emphasis on stroke length for the majority of your training. This will strengthen your length and allow you to maintain a higher percentage of efficiency as you increase the rate. Triathletes come from various backgrounds. Not all have had the opportunity to participate in properly coached and organized competitive programs in all 3 disciplines at a young age. Regular swimming (and running) at a young age in a competitive club produces highly efficient swimmers. During the years 8 to 14, the musculo-skeletal system is in a highly receptive state for skill development. Accurate skill correction plus thousands of repetitions results in efficient swimming strokes. The triathlete who has started swimming a bit later than 14 or 15, faces a high number of correct repetitions in order to learn to swim efficiently. Unfortunately the musculo-skeletal system is a bit slower at learning the older it gets! Swimming at medium speed for gradually longer periods of time is a good way to improve efficiency. You should have a couple of key technique aspects in mind when doing this type of training. A video camera is useful to capture your stroke. Watch for smooth movements, loose easy arm recovery action, very little head movement and clean overall forward body movement with little or no deceleration. The next article will focus on drills and other methods to bring the stroke length up and the stroke rate down during training. |
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SUCCESSFUL
COURSES OF TRIATHLON IN ARGENTINA: Gustavo
Svane, Press Officer Argentinean Triathlon Federation
writes: With great success the 1st National Improvement of Training, Technique and Applied Sciences in Triathlon Courses concluded in Argentina. In the CENARD, in the presence of 160 coaches and athletes of the whole country, and it was coordinated by Prof. Enrique Bollana. The inauguration conference was welcomed by the Secretary of Sports of the Nation, Roberto Perfumo, who congratulated everyone for the realization of this course, as a fundamental mechanism of growth of the sport and he stated that they will execute these initiatives to the point of excellence. The President of Argentinean Triathlon Federation, Alberto Raul Fonollosa, the Professor Oscar Santos, Director of Scholarships and Programs of the NOC and the Lic. Carlos Marino, responsible for Training of the Secretary of Sports also spoke. Prof. Fonollosa thanked the Secretary Perfumo for his presence and flattering words toward the programme. He also presented Perfumo and Santos recognition certificate. Fonollosa, during the first day, talked to the coaches about the necessity of incorporating the managerial concepts in the activity, for the generation of resources through private administration. The importance of the association of entities of the private sector that you/they invest in the sport, highlighted and that as much the coaches as the athletes are a fundamental part of this commercial association. During the conference, the assistants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the disciplines that comprise Triathlon, as well as physiology, biomechanics, medicine and psychology, and doping. Doctors Nestor Lentini, Carlos D'angelo, Eduardo Adaniya and José Ghergo, the Prof. Daniel Tomaselli, and the Lic. Luis Erdociain, Carlos Marinates and Gustavo Represas, were all in attendance. On Sunday, they were discussions relating to triathlon, led by Prof. Daniel Tomaselli, and the excellent athletes Danilo Pelegrino and Matias Marquez. Another activity of importance was the announcement on the part of the LIc. Marino and the Lic. Bernardo Davalos, of the signing of an Agreement between the Federation and the Science and Health Foundation, with the auspice of the Catholic University of Salta. This Agreement embraces the first stage of the realization of Seminars of Training. With these courses, one will be able to advance in Triathlon Technique through university's distance education programme. At the end of the Course, the coaches received a Certificate that endorses them as Trainers FAT, likewise they received materials from the three day conference. The realization of this event constitutes the fundamental pillar for the Federation, in the permanent search of achieving the transcendence and projection of the Triathlon through the generation of new human resources. |
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Technical
Director/Development Officer Needed for the Cayman Islands Triathlon:Cayman
Islands Triathlon, the national governing body of triathlon and multi
sport in the Cayman Islands writes: We are seeking a Technical Director/Development
Officer. We are a British dependent territory with an envious standard
of living, the Cayman Islands is situated in the Western Caribbean just
a one-hour flight from Miami and boasts a climate almost perfect for
year round training and racing. In existence for 15+ years, the Cayman
triathlon has grown to a participant base of over 200 with up to 100
members of varying abilities. Active throughout both the Cayman and
North American season, athletes regularly compete in marathons, Olympic,
Half Ironman and Ironman distance triathlons domestically and internationally.
The Cayman Islands have sent a team to every ITU World Age Group Championships
for the last 8 years.
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The
position is full-time (renewable after an initial six-month period)
and offers a USD tax free base salary (please note that the Cayman Islands
is income tax free) plus pension and health insurance benefits, plus
a variable income based on "commission" style income generated
through coaching programmes, event management and the like. The candidate
is expected to start in early 2004.
If you are interested in this unique opportunity then please e-mail your resume to info@caymantri.com.ky. More details may be had by visiting our website, www.caymantri.com.ky. |
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| Leanda
Cave (GBR) Current World Champions writes: Over the last 12
weeks I've had this niggling hamstring injury, which I've felt during
every run since. However, the good news is, I have now had 4 weeks of
pain-free training and feel stronger than ever. Despite not running, I
still do swimming and cycling, and these have been going really well.
For the first time, I have done specific training on weak mucsle groups,
most of which are in my legs. My first proper run back felt really bouncy,
even though I had my heart beating super fast due to a lack of fitness. My first race back was a World Cup in Nice. I had actually trained too hard leading into the event, which left me really tired for the race. So basically, it didn't go so well. However, I managed to redeem myself with a race on Sunday. It was the British Sprint Champs, where I finished 2nd, to the same Michelle Dillon who beat me in the British Triathlon Champs earlier this year when my injury first started. So that for me was a real positive, as I am back to the same fitness as I was 3 months ago.My next race is Madrid. I am hoping to do a lot better, while keeping an eye out for David Beckham! |
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Kris
Gemmell (NZL) Elite Athlete keeps us up to date:Hey
Guys and Girls, Well,
a hectic 10 weeks has come to an end here in Europe and with two World
Cups in 5 days it was a fast finish!!! |
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Asian Triathlon Confederation Election Results: Balwant Singh, Secretary General of the Asian Triathlon Confederation writes: This is to inform that during the ASTC Congress held at Chennai on the 31st October following members were elected:
At a special meeting of the new Board on the 1st November: Mr. Thomas Carrasco Jr. was appointed senior vice President and Regional Representative on ITU Board for term ending in 2008. |
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Typhoon Maemi hits Tongyeong, Korea: Ki, Woo Kyong of the Korea Triathlon Federtion fills us in the on the typhoon that hit ITU World Cup city, Tongyeong, Korea. A week after the disaster I visited Tongyeong City, I met our local federation staff and city officials who they were busy cleaning up the mess brought by the typhoon. First thing what I saw at the city was full of wastes dumped right beside of all road and a huge ship under construction on land, and then our official hotel turned into the battlefield. The yacht harbor was gone, and all the yacht drifted away and sunk. The government declared the city national disaster area. Even though the typhoon did severe damage to our friend's assets, fortunately all our friend and their family survived the disaster. Despite this, the Tongyeong LOC will pick-up and ensure the 2004 Tongyeong is the best ever. |
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WORLD
* ANTI-DOPING * AGENCY
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| THE 2004 PROHIBITED LIST PUBLISHED: Montreal, September 29, 2003 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) published today the 2004 Prohibited List approved by the Agency’s Executive Committee. This List shall come into effect on January 1st, 2004. To consult the 2004 List, please go to WADA’s website at www.wada-ama.org | |
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WADA ENCOURAGES TESTING STORED SAMPLES FOR THG: Montreal, October 24, 2003 - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced today that it has written to all international sports federations (IFs) and all national anti-doping agencies (NADOs), encouraging them to analyze currently stored samples for the presence of tetrahydrogestrinone (THG). WADA sent to all IFs and NADOs a letter asking them to review their internal protocols and processes to determine whether stored samples can be analyzed for this substance. The Agency also offered to assist the organizations in any way possible with this matter. “A proactive approach in this matter is crucial,” said David Howman, WADA’s director general, in the letter. “It not only sends a message to athletes that cheating will not be tolerated, but also reassures the general public that definite steps are being taken to stamp out the scourge of doping in sport.” Some IFs and NADOs, including the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), have already announced they will undertake testing of stored samples. |
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| Athlete's
Passport Newsletter: September 2003: The
latest edition of the Athlete's Passport Newsletter is now available on
WADA's website. World Anti-Doping Agency, www.wada-ama.org
- wadanews@wada-ama.org
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DEFINES WADA KEY PRIORITIES
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announcedrecently that its Executive Committee has confirmed, after a two-day strategy session, the priorities that will define the Agency’s mission in the short and medium term. The Committee has defined implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code, research into doping substances and methods, and education regarding doping issues as the top priorities for WADA in the coming years. Four years into the Agency’s existence, the Committee looked at all activities WADA has undertaken since its founding and considered whether these activities should still be priorities in light of the Code and limited budget resources. The Committee concluded that in light of the responsibilities WADA must undertake under the Code, the bulk of available resources should be allocated toward key areas, including further funds devoted to research and education. In addition, the Committee gave approval to the further development of the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS), a computer system that will eventually allow WADA to coordinate information on athlete testing worldwide and help the Agency monitor compliance with the Code by sports organizations and governments. With these decisions, the Executive Committee has made it clear what WADA’s priorities should be in the near future, said Richard W. Pound, WADA’s president. In responding to our stakeholders’ needs, it is clear that we need to give more money to research, do better in educating athletes about the dangers of doping, and monitor whether the Code is being properly implemented. While the Committee decided that WADA should continue to be involved in funding anti-doping out-of-competition testing in the near future, it agreed that the bulk of this task should be undertaken by governments, international sports federations and national anti-doping agencies. Any testing done by WADA should be incremental to existing and future programs. It was agreed to emphasize the development of national anti-doping agencies who could eventually undertake doping controls in consultation with all international federations. Under the Code, international federations are mandated to conduct out-of-competition doping control tests. The List, Research Projects The Executive Committee approved the 2004 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. This is the first time that WADA is solely responsible for the publication of this List. Changes to the List this year include the removal of caffeine and pseudoephedrine. Some substances, such as modafinil, have been added. The complete list will be published on WADA’s website prior to October 1. Nine new research projects, focused on areas of key priority for WADA, including blood doping, anabolic steroids and the development of a test for the detection of human growth hormone, were approved by the Committee. The Committee also approved recommending to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) joint IOC / WADA accreditation to the laboratory in Havana, Cuba. Final accreditation will be given by the IOC later this week. Sanctions for non-payment considered The Executive Committee was presented with the Agency’s draft budget for 2004 and discussed at length measures that can be taken against stakeholders in case of non-payment of WADA dues. To date, WADA has collected less than 63 percent of the dues owed to the Agency for 2003. The Committee looked at a number of options that it will present to the Foundation Board at its meeting in November, including removing members from the Executive Committee or Board whose countries or regions have not paid their dues. It will also be recommended to the Board that no laboratory receive accreditation or re-accreditation from WADA until the country in which the lab is situated has met its financial commitments to the Agency. The Committee will also ask for IOC support on this matter. The Committee will also recommend to the Board a change in the Agency’s statutes as to when monies due to WADA should be paid. Currently, the statutes require that stakeholders pay their dues by December 31 of the prior year. This commitment has proved difficult for the majority of stakeholders to fulfill and the Board will be presented with options in November of other dates by which all financial commitments should be paid. Update on Code acceptance; Regional Offices The Committee was updated on implementation of the Code following the World Conference on Doping in Sport in March, during which the document was unanimously adopted as the basis for the fight against doping in sport by delegates. To date, 81 countries have signed the Copenhagen Declaration, affirming their support for WADA and the Code. 62 sports organizations have adopted the Code and will begin implementing it prior to the Olympic Games in Athens next year. One international sports federation, the International Swimming Federation (FINA), has already fully implemented the Code in its rules. The IOC adopted the Code at its session in July and has already amended the Olympic Charter to reflect the document. The speed with which governments and sports organizations are adopting the Code is very encouraging, Pound said. I believe we are well on our way to implementation of the Code by the sports world prior to Athens. The Committee gave its approval to open both WADA regional offices in Tokyo, Japan, and Cape Town, South Africa, on November 1 of this year. |
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2004 SPORT EVENT AND ITU WORLD CUP: Thank you to all
who provided us with feedback following the event
at Vouliagmeni. Besides the many coaches and NFs who sent us their ideas
and thought, we've also had some constructive feedback from the Olympic
family. Following the event, very positive meetings were held with Spyros Capralos, Executive Director of ATHOC along with several of his Section Managers, i.e., Stefanos Kakarantzas (Ticketing Venue Operations), Ioanna Panagiotou (Reservation and Accommodations). The Triathlon Competition Manager, Gergely Markus and ITU Technical Delegate Michel Gignoux were also in attendance along with ITU President Les McDonald, ITU Executive Director Loreen Barnett, and ITU Events Manager, Sheila O'Kelly. |
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ROLL
THE CREDITS
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