Abu Dhabi is preparing to host the World Triathlon Championship 2024 (the opening round of the World Triathlon Series) on March 8 and 9 at Yas Marina Circuit, supported by "Taqa" and featuring elite triathlon stars aiming to earn points for qualification in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. A total of 110 athletes representing 25 countries are participating.
In the men's elite category, 55 professional athletes from 22 countries are competing, including the top three winners from the 2020 Olympic Games: Norway's Kristian Blummenfelt, Britain's Alex Yee, and New Zealand's Hayden Wilde. The competition intensifies with the participation of the world champions for 2022 and 2023, French athletes Leo Berger and Dorian Coninx, who are preparing to contend for top spots this year.
In the elite women's category, 55 female athletes from 25 countries are participating, including British world champion Beth Potter, the defending champion of the Abu Dhabi event, and Olympic star Gwen Jorgensen from the United States.
In the mixed relay, strong competition is expected among the participating teams composed of three athletes representing 15 countries worldwide.
Regarding the Paralympic races, the championship will witness the first Paralympic World Cup of the current season on Friday, March 8, where attendees can watch notable athletes vying for medals in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Talal Al Hashimi, Executive Director of Events Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, welcomed the elite athletes coming from around the globe to participate in the upcoming championship in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing that the participation of these top champions reflects the high level of the tournament and Abu Dhabi's prestigious status as a global destination for top sporting events.
In addition to the professional races, the Abu Dhabi World Triathlon Championship will also include 15 community races for various age groups in triathlon, running, and cycling, which will be accessible to participants of all ages and skill levels.
