Only 143 days to go...
ITU News
Update - April 2, 2004
Asian Regional Championships - Subic Bay, Phillipines;
April 3 - 4
The Asian Regional Championships are the next big event on the ITU Schedule.
Subic Bay, Phillipines is playing host to the Championships and Brian
Mahoney, part of ITU's Live Event Coverage Team, has already posted some
incredible photos from the event site on www.triathlon.org.
In the women's event Machiko Nakanishi and Akiko Sekine, both of Japan
are the top ranked athletes. Machiko finished 25th in the 2003 World Championships
and is currently ranked 25th in the world while run specialist Akiko is
currently ranked 37th and had several strong World Cup finished in 2003.
In the men's event; the team from Kazakhstan is strong - led by former
World Champion and top 10 ranked athlete - Dmitry Gaag. Danill Sapunov
(KAZ) and Daniel Lee Chi Wo (HKG) are other strong contenders for the
podium.
An Olympic spot is also up for grabs this weekend. Pre-event photos and
start lists are now available on www.triathlon.org - visit www.triathlon.org
for live coverage from the Phillipines.
Courtesy
B.J. Hoeptner Evans, USAT
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 1, 2004)
Members of the Educational Resource Program, an initiative of the USA
Triathlon Age Group Commission, will be presenting "Mission Possible
in Multi-Sport" at the annual convention of the American Alliance
of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) this week
in New Orleans, La.
The Mission Possible Multi-Sport presentation is designed to jump start
multi-sports curriculum in schools nationwide and at all levels:elementary,middle,
junior and high school.
"There
are so many aspects to multi-sport that it should be easy to get kids
excited about it," said Liz Dobbins, chair of the USA Age Group Commission
and a physical education teacher who will help with the presentation.
"Schools could not only focus on triathlon, but could also talk about
duathlon and aquathlon for students who might be interested in those disciplines."
AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting
those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health
promotion and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy
lifestyle. It is under the helm of the national
Association of Physical Education.
Mission Possible in Multi-Sport is the brainchild of Dobbins and USA Triathlon
Board of Directors President Valerie Ellsworth Gattis.
Dobbins will give the presentation in New Orleans along with Ric Rosenkranz
(USAT National Select Team Junior Coach and Program
Manager), Becky McClure (physical therapist) and Olympic triathlete Sheila
Taormina.
USA Triathlon is the national governing body for triathlon, duathlon,
aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. For more
information on this and other stories related to USA Triathlon, please
contact communications and media relations director B.J. Hoeptner Evans
at 719-597-9090, ext. 105 or at BJ@USATriathlon.org. USA Triathlon's web
site is www.usatriathlon.org.
Gergely
Markus, ATHOC Triathlon Competition Manager, Takes Part in the Olympic
Torch Relay
Story
Submitted By Gergely Markus
It came to my attention at the beginning of this year, that as the member
of the Organising Committee of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, I could
apply to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay. Of course, it wasn't a
question for me anymore, I completed the application form as soon as possible.
Several weeks ago I received the great news, that I was selected for this
honorable event.
The relay this year has some special differences. This is the first time that the flame will both start and finish in Greece - but in it's journey it will also touch all the five continents - including the previous Olympic cities. The flame was "born" on 25th of March in acient Olympia amidst a large celebration. On the first six days teh torch stays in Greece and will leave from Athens on the 31st of March for it's world tour. It will return back to Greece on the beggining of July. We - the organisers - could take part on one of these first days...
We assembled
early in the morning in the city of Kalamata - this town is about a 4
hour drive from Athens on the Peloponesos Island; therefore, I couldn't
sleep the previous night - but now I think it was because I was too excited
to sleep! We received a short briefing about the procedure we would have
to follow, were handed the uniform and finally the torch. We were able
to keep it afterwards. A bus took everyone to their respective spots,
which were every 500 meters. This was the distance each runner had to
perform. Although I had to run outside the town, the beautiful surronudings
compensated for the few "spectators" as did the presence of
a very good friend - Olympic Triathlon Technical Operations Manager, Thanos
Nikopoulos. After a short wait the caravan arrived. I held up my torch
to receive the flame. I started the run with a great feeling, smiling
to the camreas located on a truck in front of me and to the flame in my
hand. The 500 meters was finished very soon running with an escort from
a local running club. I was closer and closer to the next lucky runner,
the torches met and the flame continued it's mission! To propagate the
Olympic dream, the peace, the friendship and the humanity all over the
world! While I watched it continue, everyone congratulated as they passed
in the long caravan. I started to believe I took part in it...
- Information on Edmonton Solidarity Camp
- Information on the Edmonton Pan American Junior Championships
- Announcement of the 2003 Duathlon Schedule on the Duathlon Index Page
© www.triathlon.org 2004