The Chicago-based Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club has been named the Presenting Sponsor for the 2014 ITU World Paratriathlon Chicago, scheduled for June 28 as part of the ITU World Triathlon Chicago event weekend.
Dare2tri was launched in January 2011 and serves youth, adults and injured service members who have a physical disability, as well as those with visual impairments or blindness. The club works with athletes of all ability levels, from beginners to elites, and is committed to providing adaptive equipment, training opportunities, qualified coaching and support for athletes through access to trained handlers and guides.
The ITU World Paratriathlon Chicago presented by Dare2tri will be a stand-alone event for elite paratriathletes, who will compete on a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run sprint-distance course. The race is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m. CT on Saturday, June 28, the first of six events to be contested over two days in the heart of Chicago.
ITU World Paratriathlon Chicago presented by Dare2tri is expected to host a field of 60 paratriathletes competing in the same venue as the world's top elite triathletes. Paratriathletes interested in participating should contact their national federation to register.
A physically challenged (PC) open race will also take place on Sunday, June 29, as part of the sprint-distance age-group race. Athletes may register at chicago.triathlon.org/registration.
"Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club is proud to be named the Presenting Sponsor of the 2014 ITU World Paratriathlon Chicago event and the PC Open event," said Keri Serota, Dare2tri Executive Director. "The opportunity to host some of the world's elite paratriathletes in our hometown is a true privilege. We look forward to showcasing both our city and our athletes as we provide an amazing, accessible and unforgettable experience for all participating paratriathletes."
"We are thrilled to have Dare2tri on board for the paratriathlon events in Chicago, given their ties to the community and their efforts to make resources available to so many local athletes," said Franzi Petermann, Managing Director of ITU World Triathlon Chicago. "Their support will be a vital part of the planning and execution of these races as we prepare to welcome paratriathletes from around the world."
The partnership will be officially introduced at a media event on May 15 at the 31st Street Harbor on Lake Shore Drive. The event is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. CT and will feature demonstrations from Dare2tri members. Media interested in attending should submit their information to Lindsay Wyskowski, USA Triathlon Communications Manager, at lindsayw@usatriathlon.org or 719-955-2828 by 5 p.m. CT on May 14.
Paratriathlon has been on the rise worldwide leading into the sport's debut at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Paratriathletes competing on June 28 will have an opportunity to race on the same course as the 2015 ITU World Championships, where top-ranked athletes in each medal event will earn a Paralympic spot for their federation. More on 2016 Paralympic Games qualifications is available on triathlon.org.
Following the Dare2tri World Paratriathlon Chicago, an Olympic-caliber field of elite triathletes (65 men, 65 women) will compete for valuable points in the ITU World Triathlon Series rankings, which count toward the 2014 overall ITU World Championship title and Olympic team selections. More information on the 2016 Olympic Games ITU qualification system is available here.
Additionally, more than 3,000 top age-groupers have already registered to compete in Olympic- and sprint-distance events, including relays, on June 29. Amateurs will have the chance to compete in the same epic venue as the world's best triathletes. Visit chicago.triathlon.org for more information on this exciting multisport weekend.
About Dare2tri: Launched in 2011, Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club serves youth, adults and injured service members who have a physical disability such as amputation, spinal cord injury, stroke, Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy, as well as those with visual impairments or blindness. Dare2tri serves athletes of all ability levels, from beginners to elites. The club is committed to providing adaptive equipment, training opportunities, qualified coaching and support for athletes through access to trained handlers and guides, ensuring that athletes are fully prepared to Dare2tri and inspire others to do the same. Learn more at dare2tri.org.
About ITU World Triathlon Chicago: The City of Chicago joins the ITU World Triathlon Series in 2014 and 2015, including the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final and Age Group World Championships. One of just eight series events around the globe in 2014, Chicago will welcome 130 of the world's top Olympic-distance triathletes alongside such cities as Auckland, Cape Town, Yokohama, London, Hamburg, Stockholm and Edmonton. In addition to the elite races, the event features top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races, as well as two relay options, offering amateurs the chance to compete in the same epic venue as the world's best athletes. Launched in 2009, the ITU World Triathlon Series is televised in more than 160 countries. Visit chicago.triathlon.org for more information.
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