Govt puts up nearly $1m for World Triathlon champs final
The Government is putting up nearly $1 million so Auckland can host the final of the 2012 World Triathlon Championships and associated events.
The Government is putting up nearly $1 million so Auckland can host the final of the 2012 World Triathlon Championships and associated events.
The Government is putting up nearly $1 million so Auckland can host the final of the 2012 World Triathlon Championships and associated events.
Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee said today about 4500 triathletes and supporters were expected to come to New Zealand for the grand final and Triathlon New Zealand (TNZ) estimated the event would have an economic impact of about $30.9m.
"Up to $900,000 has been awarded from the Major Events Development Fund to enable Triathlon New Zealand to host and deliver the grand final in October 2012, and an associated test event which will be held in late 2011 or early 2012 in Auckland," he said.
"As an outdoor event, the Triathlon World Championships Series grand final will provide excellent opportunities to showcase New Zealand to international audiences."
Mr Brownlee said the International Triathlon Union had reformatted the eight-race championship to showcase and profile the sport in major international cities.
In addition to hosting the elite men's and women's grand final, TNZ would host up to seven other triathlon events across a four- to five-day period.
A sporting festival would also be developed around these events with the event hub at Auckland's Queen's Wharf.
Over the last 12 months the Government has provided funding for a number of major events, including the 2012 Volvo Ocean Race stopover, American Express Queenstown Winter Festival 2010, the 2010 International Arts Festival and the 2013 UCI BMX World Championships.