The 2012 Banyoles ITU Triathlon World Cup has been launched with the Catalan General Secretary for Sports, Ivan Tibau, and the mayor of Banyoles, Miquel Noguer, opening the events official presentation in Catalonia’s thriving capital, Barcelona.

The 2012 Triathlon World Cup will be one of the final competitions before the London Olympics, an event which “Will internationally project a good image of our modern, highly developed country,” said Tibau. This event is the fourth of nine in the 2012 ITU World Cup series. Over 100 professional triathletes are expected to compete in the 1.5 km swim, 40km bike and 10km run.

The launch, held at Barcelona’s Museum and Study Centre for Sports Dr. Melcior Colet, was attended by Miquel Noguer, mayor of Banyoles, Josep Pujols, regional sports representative of Girona, José Hidalgo, president of the Spanish Triathlon Federation and Jesús Lluis Andreu, President of the Catalan Triathlon Federation. Jordi Congost, from the Banyoles City Council for Sports and Joan Anton Abellán, the Competition’s Executive Director, were also present.

Tibau thanked the city’s commitment to sport while highlighting the international reach of this year’s World Cup.

“We are very happy about Banyoles being the first Spanish town hosting the World Cup, and the second city in Europe. This speaks for the excellent conditions offered by the town and its lake, where all kinds of competitions can be practiced. It also says a lot about the city’s organisational capacity and the great engagement of all sport organisations towards the competition,” he said. “This event will boost the regional economy and give out an image of a modern and developed country which lives sport with passion and does things the right way.”

The General Secretary for Sports stressed that the organisation of this kind of events “Will help triathlon gain popularity in Catalonia, since every year there are more people practicing it and joining the federation. It is a sport which enjoys very good health,” he said. Triathlon has one of the highest federation participation rates in Spain.

As for the mayor of Banyoles, Miquel Noguer, he recalled the town’s emphasis on sports tourism, stating that triathlon will always have a place and referring to the organisation of six other sport events planned throughout the year. Banyoles has experience in organising international sport competitions for rowing, canoeing and triathlon. He also welcomed the high commitment of Banyoles’ townsfolk, volunteers and sports clubs, which together make it possible for competitions to be successful. Banyoles last year held the 2011 ETU European Triathlon Premium Cup.

Apart from the World Cup, other events will also be held in Banyoles during that weekend, such as the classifying competition for the Spanish Cup, the age groupers distance sprint triathlon and the popular super sprint triathlon.

With files from the Banyoles LOC, photo courtesy of Jordi Estruch