Triathlons Head Down Under

Australia is set to host two world-class triathlon events in 2009.
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) Long Distance Triathlon World Championships will be held in Perth in October. The event; which involves a 3km swim, 80km cycle and 20km run, is expected to attract about 1,200 competitors and supporters from more than 50 countries and inject more than $1.6million in direct visitor expenditure to the Western Australian economy.
Meanwhile, the Gold Coast has been confirmed as the host for the 2009 ITU Triathlon World Championships. According to Queensland Deputy Premier Paul Lucas, "this is the ITU's premier event and represents the pinnacle of achievement for the world's best triathletes.
The Olympic length event is expected to attract, according to the Deputy Premier, "at least 3,000 elite athletes, more than 50,000 spectators and the world's media" to the Southport Broadwater Parkland in September 2009.
Both Queensland Events and the Gold Coast City Council are seeking to establish south east Queensland as a global 'triathlon hub'.