A carnival of colour began the 2023 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Ibiza as the flags of 61 nations were paraded along the Santa Eulalia waterfront on Friday afternoon before gathering in the town square for the formal opening and oaths.

Alongside World Triathlon President Marisol Casado were FETRI President Jose Hidalgo, the Mayor of Santa Eulalia, Carmen Ferrer Torres and Vicent Marí, Presidente of the Consell d’Eivissa.

“This is the sixth edition of these championships, and the first time since before the pandemic that we have been able to hold them all in one location,” said Marisol Casado. “For that I extend our enormous gratitude to the Local Organising Committee and FETRI for bringing us all here. We have been fortunate to hold these world championships in some outstanding venues since 2017, and this year we continue that tradition in grand style.”

“To all of our world triathletes, firstly my congratulations on qualifying to compete here, and secondly the best of luck over the coming days. Look after yourselves and each other, celebrate the diversity of nations and people and backgrounds that you will be among here, and soak up the unique magic that World Triathlon Championships always bring.”

“You have come to Ibiza to challenge yourselves, have new experiences and make new friends and memories - that is what triathlon is all about. Thank you everyone for making this such a wonderful occasion, please go out there and support and cheer on others when not racing yourself, and make the most of this opportunity, knowing you are a part of one of the greatest sport communities in the world.”

The duathlon competitions are the first on the schedule, with Saturday’s Sprint Duathlon World Championships getting under way with the Age Group racing from 8am followed by the elites as local favourite and three-time World Triathlon Champion Mario Mola looks to break the French grip on the title the have held over the past three years. For full coverage, tune in to TriathlonLive.tv.