Townsville wins bid to host ITU Multisport World Championships in 2021

The Queensland Government has secured the ITU Multisport World Championships in 2021 with Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones announcing the Championships would attract more than 8000 athletes and spectators to Townsville and inject more than $16 million into the economy.

Minister Jones said the world championships were secured through a partnership between Tourism and Events Queensland, Townsville City Council, IRONMAN, Triathlon Australia and Townsville Enterprise.

The ITU Multisport World Championships covers a range of disciplines from the aquathon to the long distance triathlon and mixed team relay and will be the biggest sporting event to be held in Townsville.

“Hosting the ITU Multisport World Championships is a big win for Townsville and will enhance the city’s reputation as a world-class destination for major events. Securing the ITU Multisport World Championships will also benefit one of the region’s most high-profile events - the Townsville Triathlon Festival - which will be significantly expanded ahead of the world championships,” Minister Jones said.

ITU President and IOC member Marisol Casado said it was a great pleasure to welcome the triathlon family once more in Queensland, heading to the city of Townsville in 2021 for what will be the fifth edition of the Multisport World Championships.

“Over the past years, Australia has become synonymous with the sport, playing host to some truly memorable performances and great champions, staging races the results of which have helped shape the path of entire seasons.

“Once again there will be five World Championship titles up for grabs across the ten days of competition at its best; in duathlon, cross triathlon, aquathon, aquabike and long-distance triathlon. Being able to hold these important races in one fantastic location and all under the banner of one festival has proved to be hugely beneficial for athletes, spectators and media alike, allowing the global ITU family the opportunity to gather together for a true celebration of the sport, and we are extremely excited to head to Townsville in 2021,” Casado said.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill welcomed the announcement: “Hosting such a major international sporting event will ensure thousands of fans and athletes are staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and businesses around the city get a boost. This will further cement our city’s reputation as the sporting and events capital of North Australia.” 

IRONMAN Oceania Managing Director Dave Beeche said the 2021 ITU Multisport World Championships would be an event to remember.

“Since the ITU Multisport World Championships debuted three years ago it has quickly grown into one of the most popular and diverse events,” he said.

“There is something for every athlete and we look forward to producing a Multisport World Championships that is truly memorable and introducing the City of Townsville to athletes, families and friends from all over the globe.”

Triathlon Australia Chief Executive Miles Stewart said triathlon continued to experience growth on a global scale. 

“Largely due to the new formats of the sport being offered to cater for a variety of new participants which has been evident in the creation of a separate Multisport World Championships,” Stewart said.

“Australia was a visionary in producing the Multisport event concept nearly 35 years ago, offering a complete weekend of events and the Townsville Triathlon Festival is well supported and delivered to the highest standard.

“We’re excited to again be hosting another world championship. Australia has previously hosted three Triathlon World Championships and last year the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Townsville will continue the strong tradition of attracting international events to Queensland.”

Townsville Triathlon Festival president Jamie Fitzpatrick said the Townsville Triathlon Festival already had a well-established reputation on the Australian triathlon scene. 

“This announcement not only benefits Townsville in 2021 but will now be the catalyst for the existing festival to expand its format to include a new ‘off-road’ weekend, making it the biggest Triathlon and Multisport Festival in Australia with 22 different events and race formats across two weekends,” he said.

“This expanded format will bring increased economic benefit to the city in the two years leading up to the World Championships and importantly provide a significant platform for the event to continue to grow well beyond 2021.”

The 2019 Townsville Triathlon Festival will run from Saturday 17th August to Sunday 18th August 2019.

The Queensland government has also announced that Townsville’s new $290 million North Queensland Stadium will be ready for the start of the 2020 NRL Premiership Season despite unprecedented flooding earlier this year.

Queensland Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said the stadium contractor, Watpac, has sought an extension to the practical completion date of the stadium, but remained confident the massive project would still be open on schedule.

“Even with this inevitable delay we will still have plenty of time to put the venue through all its paces and it is still on track to be ready for the 2020 NRL season kick-off,” said Minister de Brenni.

Images of Townsville Triathlon Festival