Goodwill Games

06/06/2001

Goodwill Games Splashes Out For Triathlon

Sunday, September 2 promises to be one of the most exciting days of the 2001 Goodwill Games, with up to 50,000 spectators expected to line the course of the Triathlon route.

Fifty of the world's top triathletes will compete in the men and women's meet, which has been especially mapped out to showcase Brisbane's best features to the world, including the city skyline, the river and the South Bank precinct.

Goodwill Games organisers today entered final preparations for the contest, with approximately 10 athletes participating in a trial run of the swim section of the race.

The trial is the culmination of more than 400 hours of thorough planning and consultation by several stakeholders, including Goodwill Games Competition Manager Garth Prowd, police and emergency services, broadcasters, water authorities, Brisbane City Council and the State Government.

``We're pretty excited today,'' Mr Prowd said.
``A lot of hard work and planning has gone into getting us to this point. It feels like this is the start of the Goodwill Games action!''

During the Games, organisers will begin erecting the Triathlon course after the completion of the Saturday night Riverconcert at South Bank on September 1.

They will work through the night to ensure the course is ready for competition, with more than 15km of crowd control barriers (6000 individual barriers), 200 water-filled corner barriers, and 200 witch hats to be placed in time for the 9am start.

A workforce of approximately 200 staff, including marshalls, officials and key personnel will be in place to ensure the smooth running of the event.

Organisers are preparing for a crowd of up to 50,000 people to line the route of the course, which will start and finish at the Flag Forecourt area at South Bank. Special pedestrian bridges and a temporary grandstand to seat 400 people will be erected at the Flag Forecourt, providing the best views for spectators.

The Goodwill Games Triathlon is a non-ticketed event and will see 50 of the world's top male and female triathletes compete for a total prize purse of US$200,000.

A strong field of competitors have already confirmed their spots, including New York '98 Goodwill Games champion - and Brisbane resident - Loretta Harrop, Sydney gold and silver medallists Brigette McMahon (gold, SUI) and Michellie Jones (silver, AUS)
A full contingent of Sydney mens' medallists will compete including Simon Whitfield (gold, CAN), Stefan Vuckovich (silver, GER) and Jan Rehula (bronze CZE).

Media information:
Nikki Todd, 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane
Ph: 07 3233 2045 (direct) / Mobile: 0408 011 204

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