Edmonton ITU World Cup

$335,000 Financial Support for Triathlon World Cup - Commitments from all three levels of government

EDMONTON, May 16: Government support valued at $335,000 for this year's ITU Triathlon World Cup was announced today at a City Hall news conference. This represents the financial commitments of all three levels of government toward the event, which will again be held in Hawrelak Park. This year's World Cup races will be held on the afternoon of Sunday, July 13th. The activities that day will also include the Canadian Triathlon Age Group Championship, which is expected to attract more than 500 triathletes from across the country. A "Try a Tri" sprint event will also be held for beginners.

"Edmonton continues to attract world-class athletic events, and that speaks to the outstanding caliber of people this community has working on its behalf," said Mark Norris, Minister of Economic Development, who presented a cheque for $150,000 from the Alberta Government to J.D. Hole, Chair of Edmonton World Cup Triathlon. "This is a great way to keep Edmonton, and all of Alberta, recognized as a safe and friendly destination for people from all over the world."Councilor Jane Batty, hosting the news conference at Edmonton City Hall, said that the City will once again fund hard costs of staging the event. These costs, valued at $110,000, include the use and preparation of Hawrelak Park Lake, relevant transportation and policing and support in national and international promotion.

"Edmonton is delighted to be able to offer the hometown advantage to Canada's athletes as they search for qualification points for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens," says the event's chair J.D. Hole. "The success we have had in making our race a world-class event would not be possible without the continued support of our partners, representing all three levels of government, the corporate sector and the dedication of our volunteers. Their ongoing support and commitments are essential for events of this magnitude and ensuring we can continue to meet the standards we have set in recent years." Hole also told the news conference that word had been received late yesterday afternoon that federal Public Works Minister Ralph Goodale had signed an agreement for financial support valued at $75,000 towards the event

Also participating in the event were Drew Hutton, MLA for Edmonton Glenora, and Jill Savege, Canada's top female triathlete. Jill is presently ranked sixth in the ITU women's international standings."All three levels of government and the corporate sponsors are to be commended for their past and continued financial support of this amazing event," says Jill Savege, who travelled to Edmonton from her home in Penticton to be involved in the news conference. "The opportunity to compete in a World Cup Triathlon event in our own country - in a pre-Olympic year - provides Canadian athletes with the best possible chance to do well in the international standings. This, we hope, will translate into better overall results for Canadians in Athens. It would be wonderful to continue the medal tradition set by Simon Whitfield at the first Olympic triathlon in Sydney."-30-For further information: Stephen Bourdeau, Triathlon marketing - 702-2001 or Joanne Miller, Chair of Public Relations 707-7411 (cell)www.triedmonton.com