World Triathlon

ITU President Marisol Casado and ITU Sport Director Gergely Markus met with Wilfried Lemke, Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport or Development and Peace (UNOSDP) today at the SportAccord International Convention in Dubai. Casado, Markus and Lemke discussed ways to make sport more accessible to everyone, regardless of circumstances. The meeting reaffirms ITU’s commitment to sport development around the globe.

UNOSDP assists activities worldwide as an advocate, facilitator and representative of sport’s social purposes, recognising the importance of sustaining momentum of global sport development.

ITU President Marisol Casado said: “Global sport development has always been ITU’s core activity, and sport development in Africa is one of my goals as a President of the International Federation. It is very important for us to listen and learn from experts in this area, establishing new relationships with whom we can share goals together.”

More highlights from SportAccord

ITU representatives attended a discussion on the first-ever SportAccord World Beach Games, expected to be launched between November 2012 and February 2013. ITU Sport Director Gergely Markus attended a meeting on the unique multi-sport event, in which key stakeholders were informed of the latest development. Nine sports, including Volleyball, Football, Handball, Basketball, Tennis, Rugby, Sailing, Surfing and Triathlon are being considered as initial programme sports at this stage. ITU, as the governing body of the sport triathlon, will define the format in future discussions with SportAccord. Approximately 800 to 1,000 athletes are expected to compete in the brand new event.

ITU President Casado along with ITU Sport Director Gergely Markus discussed the latest development for London 2012 with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). Debbie Jevans, Director of Sport, and David Luckes, Head of Sport Competition, were at the table. ITU also met with the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) to discuss the final phase of its preparations.

ITU delegates also met with representatives from the Commonwealth Games Federation, International World Games Association, International Masters Games Association and International University Sports Federation to discuss future relationships and potential development of the sport.