World Triathlon

The Kedzierzyn-Kozle U-23 and Youth European Triathlon Championship as well as the Kedzierzyn-Kozle Junior European Cup have been cancelled due to serious floods that have swept through Poland. The events were scheduled for August 28-29.  The floods are considered to be the worst to strike Poland in at least 10 years.

The city infrastructure of Kedzierzyn-Kozle, located on the Oder River in Southwestern Poland, has been heavily damaged. Approximately one-third of the bike course roads are in need of being rebuilt. Additionally, about 200 homes are completely underwater and the city’s sewage treatment plant has been ruined.

Heavy rain throughout Poland and Central Europe has raised the water level of a number of rivers and flood defenses have failed in many places. According to Jerzy Miller, Poland’s Interior Minister, beavers are to blame for much of the damage, as the rodents have dug through flood defense walls. At least 15 people in Poland have died due to the flooding. Rivers have also burst their banks in parts of Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, forcing thousands across Central Europe to be evacuated from their homes.

ITU would like to extend our sympathies to all those affected by floods in Central Europe.