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25.02.03
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Worldwide secures international rights for Triathlon
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Worldwide, the commercial consumer arm of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, and the International
Triathlon Union (ITU) have signed a deal, in which, for the first
time, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide will have full international television distribution
rights for all ITU events, including the Triathlon World Cup and
Triathlon World Championships.
Each
year, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide will distribute a total of 16 x 52 minute edited
highlight programmes from competitions held all over the world -
including Europe, USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.
Live coverage will also be available to broadcasters from some of
the venues, including the World Championships, which will take place
in New Zealand in December 2003.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's Sport Sales Manager, Richard Hornsby-Smith, says,
"The Triathlon produced some of the most memorable images of
the 2000 Sydney Olympics and is one of the fastest-growing modern
sports. Adding such a prestigious property to our catalogue is very
exciting for us and underlines Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's commitment to expanding
our sports programming portfolio. We are looking forward to a fruitful
relationship with the ITU."
Les
McDonald, President of the ITU adds, "Although the Triathlon
is still in its infancy, to have thought 10 years ago that we would
have Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide acting as our distribution agency would have
been an impossible dream. We have begun the task of bringing Triathlon
to the home of sport spectators, and with the help of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide,
the future looks brilliant."
Under the terms of the new agreement, the ITU will retain the international
broadcast distribution rights for Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Notes to editors:
Other
leading sports events distributed by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide include The London
Marathon, The Grand National, Royal Ascot, The University Boat Race
and the Rugby League Challenge Cup.
The
International Triathlon Union was established in 1989 and within
7 years the sport was awarded full medal status on the Olympic programme.
Recognised by the International Olympic Association, the ITU is
a member of the General Association of International Sports Federations
(GAISF). Triathletes must swim 1500m, then cycle 40km and finally
run 10km to complete each race. The sport of triathlon is with good
reason, considered one of the most gruelling international sports.
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