Earlier today, the International Triathlon Union (ITU), came up with the decision to launch a mixed relay series and give triathletes extra ways to earn some qualification points for the same event at the 2020 Olympic Games which will be held in Tokyo.
The series will make their debut next season in Nottingham on June 7, right before the British leg of the ITU World Series will take place in Leeds. The format will then move to Hamburg for the Mixed Relay World Championship, right before the last leg in Edmonton ends in July.
“We are absolutely delighted with the launch of the Mixed Relay Series,” Marisol Casado, ITU President, said in an official statement.
Get ready for an ALL NEW source of action next year! Announcing the 2018 ITU Mixed Relay Series! ?♀️➡️?➡️?♀️➡️?#TriMixedRelay #RoadToTokyo2020
?Nottingham ?? -> June 7
?Hamburg World Championships ?? -> July 15
?Edmonton ?? -> July 29 pic.twitter.com/ofj08sLBDp— World Triathlon (@worldtriathlon) December 11, 2017
“The Mixed Relay… gives the sport something very important: a sense of team building. But most important, is an event that demonstrates that women and men can compete together but both are equally important to the success of the team.”
A chance to grab some qualification points
Athletes will all have the chance to grab some extra Olympic qualification points and that’s great news especially for the ones who know they deserve a place in the Olympics, to showcase their skills.
“Nottingham was a fantastic host of this year’s Accenture British Triathlon Mixed Relay Cup and we are thrilled to be back again in 2018, this time to showcase even more triathlon talent from across the globe,” Andy Salmon, British Triathlon CEO, said.
“With the added incentive of the opportunity to pick up vital Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifying points, Nottingham can expect performances of the highest quality from some of the world’s top sporting heroes.”