CANADA, Vancouver – The 2008 BG Triathlon World Cup series calendar was released by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) today. In total 15 world cups will be organised for the 2008 season with many of the staple events returning and a number of new events emerging. For the first time the world cup series will visit 15 different countries for the 15 premier events.

“We are happy to be able to bring a truly international series to our athletes, with each world cup taking them to another country,“ commented ITU World Cup Director, Sheila O’Kelly. “The competition for hosting world cups is becoming more intense with many cities in the running for the 2009-2012 Olympiad.”

The 2008 season will begin on March 30th in Australia with the Mooloolaba BG Triathlon World Cup and finish on November 2nd with the season’s finale in Huatulco, Mexico.

Olympic qualification for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China will run to June 8th, the date of ITU’s 2008 BG Triathlon World Championships in Vancouver, Canada. The games themselves will be held from August 8th to August 24th with the women’s and men’s triathlon events held on the 18th and 19th, respectively.

“As we near closer to the Olympic cut-off, the level of competition at every race is top-notch and start lists are full as countries are scrambling for the precious Olympic points,” stated O’Kelly.

Total prize money for all the 2008 world cups and triathlon world championships will total over US$2,500,000, making the ITU series the most lucrative triathlon series in the world.

As in years prior, a minimum of 16 ITU Triathlon Television shows will be produced and distributed by broadcasters to over 117 countries worldwide. Live online coverage, video, results and commentary of all world cup and world championship events will again be available on ITU’s website www.triathlon.org.

2008 BG Triathlon World Cup Series

March 30 Mooloolaba, AUSTRALIA**
April 6 New Plymouth, NEW ZEALAND
April 13 Ishigaki, JAPAN
April 27 Tongyeong, KOREA
May 4 Richards Bay, SOUTH AFRICA
May 25 Madrid, SPAIN
June 7/8 World Championships – Vancouver, CANADA
June 22 Des Moines, USA**
July 6 Hamburg, GERMANY
July 13 Tiszaujvaros, HUNGARY
July 20 Kitzbuhel, AUSTRIA
Sep 7 or 14 London, GREAT BRITAIN**
Sep 28 Lorient, FRANCE
Oct 5 Rhodes, GREECE**
Oct 12 Eilat, ISRAEL**
Nov 2 Huatulco, MEXICO**

**Provisional date

Although the calendar is current as of the time of this announcement, it is subject to change. Please visit www.triathlon.org for the most up-to-date calendar of all 2008 ITU events.