To
the Athletes, Officials, Coaches, Volunteers and Afficionados of Triathlon
-
Welcome
to the Madrid ITU World cup – and a major qualifying event for World
Ranking Points and Athens 2004. The
Spanish Triathlon Federation was a founding member of ITU in Avignon,
France 1989 and Marisol Casado of the Federation played an important
role in the creation of the International Olympic Federation and continues
to do so, as an Executive Board member of ITU, and president of the
European Triathlon Union. The
city of Madrid with the Spanish Olympic Committee is again bidding for
the privilege of hosting the Olympic Games, in the year 2012. if they are successful, it will be 20 years after the Games of Barcelona
in 1992, arguably one of the best ever. ITU
owes a lot to Spain and in particular the former IOC president from
Barcelona, Juan Antonio Samaranch who guided us through the early years
to gain Olympic status for our wonderful charismatic sport, and its
athletes. To the athletes visiting Madrid for perhaps the first time
find the occasion in your busy schedule to visit the Plaza Major, and
participate in the evenings “Paseo” – Try the most famous hors d’oeuvre
on the planet ‘ “Las Tapas” A visit
to the Prado picture gallery is a must for all athletes, where the paintings
by the Spanish Masters El Greco, Velasquez, and Goya hang in all their
splendor. We should consider
making the visit to the Prado compulsory, athletes who fail to make
their way through the Prado will have any prize money they win in the
Madrid World Cup – given to those who did!
Admission
tickets to the famous Art gallery required for prize money payment! Enjoy
Madrid, former Moorish City, but avoid the Corrida at all cost. Regards, ITU President |