Townsville welcomes 3,000 athletes for the Multisport party

The triathlon world is making its way to Tropical North Queensland this week with the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville set to get underway. And the party kicked-off in style with the fabulous Parade of Nations, welcoming the 3,048 athletes representing 38 National Federations that will compete in the next 12 days on the 19 World Championships in dispute. Conditions are perfect and races are a go!

The 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville is set to be the largest mass participation event ever held in the region, with thousands of athletes and supporters from around the world already in the city.  The action got underway this Thursday with the Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony at Strand Park, but the action will heat up this Friday, with the Duathlon World Championships opening the stage.

The Multisport Championships will see Sprint and Standard Duathlon, Cross Triathlon and Cross Duathlon, Aquathlon, Long Distance Triathlon, and Aquabike, World Championship races organised together, with all events to be held in close proximity to the centre of Townsville.

Racing will be split across two venues, with road-based events of Duathlon, Aquathon, Long Course Triathlon and Aquabike to be based out of Jezzine Barracks. Offroad events of Cross Triathlon and Cross Duathlon are to be hosted at the beautiful Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park. Both venues are within easy reach of the event hub at Strand Park, with Jezzine Barracks a 10-minute walk and Pallarenda Park a 12-minute drive.

“When elite and age group athletes, para triathletes and intellectually impaired athletes, share the same stage, we witness the full spectrum of what triathlon can and should be. It’s a powerful statement about the enduring spirit of our community and the limitless potential within each of us. Together, we are stronger and these events inspire the next generation of triathletes and reaffirm that excellence is ageless, and that sportsmanship never goes out of style”, said Oceania Triathlon and World Triathlon Board Member, Michelle Cooper, during the Opening Ceremony.

“For the next 12 days, this vibrant region of North Queensland will be the epicenter of global multisport, hosting the largest sporting spectacle ever held in Townsville. But beyond the competition, these championships are about more than just winning medals. They are about camaraderie, cultural exchange, and the shared joy of pushing our limits in pursuit of excellence. From the Opening Ceremony and Parade of Nations to the Closing Ceremony and Party, these 12 days will be packed with excitement, fun, and unforgettable moments. On behalf of World Triathlon, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to the City of Townsville, Australia Triathlon, the local organizers, and all the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make this event possible. To the athletes, I wish you the very best of luck – may you achieve your personal bests and create memories that will last a lifetime”, said World Triathlon Secretary General, Antonio Fernandez Arimany, before declaring officially the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville open.