Chancengleichheit versus Ergebnisgleichheit im Sport: Cisgender-Frauensport unter Druck

Brett Sutton, unangefochten der erfolgreichste Trainer im Triathlon der Frauen, hat in einem wichtigen Blogpost auf die aktuelle Gesetzgebungsinitiative ("H.R.5 - Equality Act") in den USA verwiesen, die alle Sportarten auf allen Ebenen für biologische XY-Chromosom Männer, die sich im Sinne der Transgender-Diskussion als Frauen definieren, öffnen werden.

Bekannt geworden sind sicherlich die Bilder von "Rugby-Spielerinnen", die nahezu doppelt so schwer, wie der weibliche Wettbewerb sind, "Basketball-Spielerinnen", die alle biologischen Frauen auf dem Court um 30 - 40 % überragen und von Mixed Martial Arts-Kämpferinnen, die den biologischen Frauen reihenweise die Schädel brechen und darüber auf den eigenen Social Media Kanälen hämisch berichten. 

Sutton hat richtig erkannt, dass durch die genetische Dominanz der biologischen Männer in fast allen Sportarten über fast alle Altersklassen hinweg die immanente Gefahr besteht, dass in wenigen Jahren der weibliche Profisport in der Weltspitze zum Erliegen kommen könnte.

"Wenn das nicht angegangen wird, werden Frauen in 6 Jahren nicht mehr auf den Podien der Olympischen Spiele stehen."

Damit wären auch mittelfristig die Nachwuchsathletinnen nicht mehr verfügbar und so wichtige inklusive Bildungsinitiativen zum sozialen Aufstieg durch den Profisport an den Universitäten und über die Nationalmannschaften obsolet. Argumentativ stellt Sutton u. A. auf die Level des männlichen Sexualhormons Testosteron, VO2max und Muskelmasse ab und bringt als Postulat auch eine reine Transgender-Klasse in die Diskussion ein. Prädikat: Lesenswert.

1. H.R.5 - Equality Act
2. When equal is not equal

2020 EDITIONS OF IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND IRONMAN 70.3 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CANCELLED DUE TO CONTINUED IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

- First IRONMAN World Championship cancellation dating back to 1978

- Events to return in 2021 with IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in St. George, Utah on Sept. 17 & 18 and IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i on October 9

 - IRONMAN working to secure Taupō, New Zealand for the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

TAMPA, Florida (USA) - IRONMAN today announced that, due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the 2020 editions of the IRONMAN® World Championship and IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship have been cancelled. The IRONMAN World Championship will return to Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i on October 9, 2021 and the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship will return on September 17 and 18, 2021 and take place in St. George, Utah, United States. IRONMAN is working to secure Taupō, New Zealand as the host destination for the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

As the global COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact events around the world, both world championship events have seen a majority of their respective qualifying events postponed or unable to take place in 2020, impeding the ability to qualify athletes for the respective 2020 world championship events. Based on the schedule, the continuation of existing travel restrictions worldwide, and other circumstances beyond our control, IRONMAN’s world championship events cannot proceed as rescheduled.

 “It is with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to cancel the 2020 editions of the IRONMAN World Championship and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. While we were hopeful that we could welcome our athletes, their families, and supporters to these events in early 2021, the continued impact of the pandemic makes this impossible. It is tough to make this decision in July, but it will provide the necessary clarity for our athletes, host cities and partners,” said Andrew Messick, President & Chief Executive Officer for The IRONMAN Group. “It is disappointing not to be able to provide our racing community with the opportunity to compete in the IRONMAN World Championship for the first time in our 43 year history and our IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship for the first time since inception in 2006.

We will endure, however, and look forward to the day when we will again assemble the greatest professional and age-group triathletes in the world and crown world champions.” Athletes who qualified for the 2020 editions of the IRONMAN World Championship and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship event will be contacted directly. They will have the opportunity to race in the 2021 or 2022 editions of the respective World Championships.

In June, IRONMAN announced a new IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship qualifying method for athletes. The HOKA ONE ONE IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ Championship Series is a four-weekend long regulated age-group competition designed to reward top-performing athletes with IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship qualifying slots. Athletes who earned qualifying slots, via that Championship Series, will now receive slots to the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place in St. George, Utah, United States on Sept. 17 and 18, 2021. Looking Forward St. George enters an elite group of destinations around the world bestowed with the honor of hosting the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. The event originated in Clearwater, Florida in 2006 and moved to Henderson, Nevada (2011-13) prior to embarking on a global annual rotation that began with Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada (2014). Each year since, it has reached new locations all over the world, including Zell am See-Kaprun, SalzburgerLand, Austria (2015); Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia (2016); Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States (2017); and Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa (2018).

In 2019, the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship took place in beautiful Nice, France. In 2021 the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship rotates back to North America for the first time since 2017. The striking Southwestern community of St. George has been a host venue for IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlons since 2010. St. George’s breathtaking scenery and views of the surrounding red rock canyons have made the community an ideal destination for athletes for years. The city's walkable downtown area features great local fare and boutique shopping. It is also only a two-hour drive from the nightlife of Las Vegas, with its never-ending entertainment options. The course has historically begun in the beautiful Sand Hollow Reservoir before embarking on a bike course through picturesque Snow Canyon State Park prior to a run through the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.

The IRONMAN 70.3 North American Pro Championship St. George also earned accolades in the 2018 IRONMAN Athlete Choice awards, ranking in the Top 10 for two categories - fifth in Best Overall Bike and ninth in Overall Host City Experience. In 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 St. George ranked in top-10 globally in two categories of the IRONMAN Athlete Choice award – ninth for Overall Bike and eighth for Overall Venue Experience. "Since the inception of rotating the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship to premier destinations around the globe each year, IRONMAN has created an inspirational event unlike any other. We are excited to be part of the prestigious and elite community of world championship host cities, and to represent the world as we welcome the world championship athletes back,” said Kevin Lewis, Director of the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office. “Our course showcases some of the most dramatic landscapes of any IRONMAN 70.3 circuit globally. The powerful combination of scenery and terrain is backed up by an energetic community that is exhilarated to host such an iconic event. Athletes who have raced here rave about the experience. Those who haven’t will soon find out why.”

For more information and event details for the IRONMAN World Championship, please visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship. Further updates on the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship can be found at www.ironman.com/im703-world-championship.

Advance to Acquire the Ironman Group From Wanda Sports Group

Advance announced today that it has entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement with Wanda Sports Group Company Limited (NASDAQ: WSG) to acquire The IRONMAN Group in an all-cash transactioon at enterprise value of USD 730 million.

The IRONMAN Group and its portfolio of assets, which includes its flagship IRONMAN® and IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlons, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series®, and the Epic Series® of mountain biking races, among other events, makes up the largest mass participation sports platform in the world. From a single race on O’ahu, Hawai`i in 1978, The IRONMAN Group has owned, organized, promoted, and licensed endurance events for over 40 years, which now consists of more than 235 events in over 50 countries, across triathlon, running, trail running, cycling and mountain biking. Each year over one million international athletes participate in an IRONMAN Group race. 

Advance is committed to the future of The IRONMAN Group and believes in the long-term strength of its well-recognized brands and the dedication of its athletes, communities, employees and fans. Advance is a private, family-owned business that invests in a broad range of media and technology companies. 

Orkila Capital (“Orkila”) will co-invest in The IRONMAN Group and Jesse Du Bey, Managing Partner of Orkila, will rejoin its Board of Directors alongside Advance and Andrew Messick, President and CEO of The IRONMAN Group. Orkila is a growth equity firm focused on investments in the media, entertainment and consumer sectors. Du Bey, previously a Managing Director at Providence Equity Partners, led that firm’s 2008 investment in The IRONMAN Group. 

“Today is an important milestone for The IRONMAN Group. We are pleased with this partnership, which is a testament to Advance’s belief in the company,” said Andrew Messick, CEO of The IRONMAN Group. “We remain confident in our future; our focus and objectives are unchanged; and we are ready to face the opportunities and challenges ahead. Together with Advance and Orkila, we will navigate through the turbulent and uncertain period in front of us and continue to deliver the exceptional experiences for which we’re known. I’m also thrilled to welcome Jesse Du Bey back to the Board of Directors of The IRONMAN Group.” Messick continued, “We thank Wanda Sports Group for its support over the past four years and are proud of what we have accomplished together. We look forward to continuing our work in China with Wanda Sports Group in the coming years.”

“We are pleased to welcome The IRONMAN Group to the Advance family of companies,” said Janine Shelffo, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Advance. “The core IRONMAN Group values of endurance and perseverance resonate strongly at Advance, a one hundred year-old business that has differentiated itself through long-term focus and commitment.  We are delighted to partner with Andrew and his executive team as they plan to resume exceptional race experiences for their passionate athletes, and to support the long-term growth of the business. We’re also pleased to join forces with Orkila and are grateful for the invaluable experience with The IRONMAN Group that they bring to our partnership.” 

“I look forward to this new chapter with The IRONMAN Group. Since I last worked with Andrew and his team, the company has experienced significant growth in its global triathlon event footprint and has successfully expanded into new areas such as running, trail running and mountain biking,” said Jesse Du Bey, Managing Partner of Orkila. “I am thrilled that Orkila is partnering with Advance, Andrew and The IRONMAN Group to help build this great family of brands into the future.”

As part of the transaction, Wanda Sports Group will continue to operate the IRONMAN® and IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon series, Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series® and Epic Series® of off-road mountain bike races in China under an exclusive license agreement.

The transaction has no financing condition and is subject to customary regulatory approvals, with closing anticipated in the second quarter of 2020. 

Advance was advised by BofA Securities and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. The IRONMAN Group and Wanda Sports Group were advised by Credit Suisse and Reed Smith LLP. 

Links

• Advance
• Orkila
• Ironman

About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® VR™ Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series®, IRONKIDS®, ITU World Triathlon Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and The Sun-Herald City2Surf® presented by Westpac, Ultra-Trail® World Tour events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with more than 235 events across 50+ countries. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.

About Advance

Advance is a private, family-owned business that owns, operates and invests in companies spanning media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 15,000 people in 19 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com. 

About Orkila

Orkila Capital LLC (“Orkila”) was formed in 2013, by Jesse Du Bey and Taylor Storms, to pursue proprietary and compelling growth equity investment opportunities in the consumer, media and entertainment sectors. Orkila invests in leading companies at the forefront of evolving market opportunities, including Mikkeller, Recognition Media (The Webby Awards), Antares Audio Technologies (Auto-Tune), Omnipollo and Bellator MMA. Additionally, the Principals of Orkila co-founded Crash Line Productions (Boston Calling Music Festival, Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival and others) as well as sourced and helped execute the 2008 purchase of World Triathlon Corporation (IRONMAN) on behalf of their prior firm. With over 30 years of experience, the Principals of Orkila seek to leverage their deep industry knowledge and relationships to focus on growth platforms with differentiated brands, IP or content. Orkila manages approximately $500 million of capital across three private equity funds and several Special Purpose Vehicles. For more information visit www.orkilacapital.com. 

Joint statement from the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Abe Shinzo, held a conference call this morning to discuss the constantly changing environment with regard to Covid-19 and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

They were joined by Mori Yoshiro, the President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee; the Olympic Minister, Hashimoto Seiko; the Governor of Tokyo, Koike Yuriko; the Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission, John Coates; IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper; and the IOC Olympic Games Executive Director, Christophe Dubi.

President Bach and Prime Minister Abe expressed their shared concern about the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, and what it is doing to people’s lives and the significant impact it is having on global athletes’ preparations for the Games. In a very friendly and constructive meeting, the two leaders praised the work of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and noted the great progress being made in Japan to fight against COVID-19.

The unprecedented and unpredictable spread of the outbreak has seen the situation in the rest of the world deteriorating. Yesterday, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that the COVID-19 pandemic is “accelerating”. There are more than 375,000 cases now recorded worldwide and in nearly every country, and their number is growing by the hour.

In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the WHO today, the IOC President and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.

The leaders agreed that the Olympic Games in Tokyo could stand as a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times and that the Olympic flame could become the light at the end of the tunnel in which the world finds itself at present. Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The IRONMAN Group Launches IRONMAN VR – A New Global Racing Series – and The IRONMAN VR Pro Challenge

IRONMAN Virtual Racing Series and IRONMAN Virtual Club will allow athletes to train, compete and stay connected with the close-knit athlete community around the world

The IRONMAN Group, a Wanda Sports Group company (Nasdaq: WSG), announced that it will add the IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series to its portfolio, including the IRONMAN VR Pro Challenge that will debut on April 4 through the IRONMAN Now Page on Facebook Watch. The IRONMAN VR Series will be offered through the soon to be launched IRONMAN Virtual Club™, a web-based platform allowing athletes to train and compete from anywhere around the world at any time through the IRONMAN VR Series of weekly races and challenges.

“At the IRONMAN Group, our mission is to provide exceptional, life-changing race experiences for athletes of all levels from their first step to the finish line,” says Andrew Messick, President & CEO for The IRONMAN Group. “We believe that under extraordinary circumstances such as these, athletes should be able to maintain the structure and continuity that training and competition provides. The IRONMAN Virtual Club is an innovative digital platform that enables our athletes to continue training with purpose, remain connected to our community and provides an opportunity to compete through the IRONMAN VR Series.”

Athletes will compete in the traditional age-group categories and for select virtual races, will have the opportunity to earn qualifying slots to the 2020 IRONMAN®70.3® World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand scheduled to take place on November 28 and 29, 2020. Virtual races will begin on Fridays at 6 p.m. GMT and close Sundays at midnight GMT with the first competitive race, IRONMAN VR1, debuting on April 3. The format and distances may vary each race weekend. In order to be eligible for world championship slots, athletes will need to compete with devices providing GPS and heart rate data which will be uploaded to the IRONMAN Virtual Club platform. The IRONMAN Virtual Club platform will be compatible with most wearable technology and app trackers. Upon completion of a race, athletes will receive a finisher package including the collectible IRONMAN VR medal and finisher tees for that race. The IRONMAN Virtual Club will additionally provide an activity-based loyalty point system designed to motivate athletes as they train and reward them through merchandise, discounts and “money can’t buy” benefits.

During each weekend of competition, there will also be a Men’s and Women’s IRONMAN VR Pro Challenge. Two professional female athletes will compete on Saturday and two professional male athletes will compete on Sunday for prize money. Anyone around the world will be able to tune-in to the head-to-head battles through the IRONMAN Now Page on Facebook Watch. The coverage will also follow the competing age-group athletes through User-Generated Content shared on the interactive platform, allowing athletes to see how they match up against fellow competitors through live look-ins and leaderboard updates. Additionally, every Monday at 6 p.m. following the race weekend, the IRONMAN VR Rolldown Show will provide the best action from the weekend and an interactive live awarding of the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship qualifying slots. During the live coverage, the IRONMAN Foundation will also run Facebook fundraisers to provide support for our traditional host communities.

COVID-19 Response. Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) pays athletes $2,500,000, inaugural Collins Cup moves to 2021

The Professional Triathletes Organisation today announced its response to COVID-19 by increasing its Year-End Annual Bonus Programme from $2,000,000 to $2,500,000 and paying it all immediately based on the PTO World Rankings. The $500,000 increase would go to men and women athletes ranked 21-50, who previously would have been paid $5,000 each in a year-end bonus, but will now see that amount raised to $8,000, and men and women athletes ranked 51-100, who previously would have been paid $2,000 each in a year-end bonus, but will now see that amount raised to $5,000. Athletes will be paid based on their PTO World Ranking as of January 1 or March 15, whichever is higher.

During this period that the race schedule is disrupted, the top ten PTO World Ranked men and women athletes have committed to work together with the PTO to engage in appearances and online exhibitions and any revenue from these will be distributed to athletes ranked 20-100.

Rachel Joyce, Co-President of the PTO, commented, “The world finds itself in a difficult and almost unprecedented time. We appreciate that many people are struggling both physically and economically. For our athletes, like many others, the future is filled with uncertainty. With many races cancelled, the ability of our athletes to be able to race in the near future has been greatly reduced. The PTO has been looking for a way to support our athletes in this time of instability. We appreciate that many race operators and race directors are struggling with financial constraints and the PTO is fortunate to be in a position to be able to provide some support to our athletes. We hope that our response in paying athletes a total of $2,500,000 today will help them manage the immediate disruption they are experiencing. We are now looking to work with sponsors, governing bodies, race organisers and other groups in exploring additional opportunities to help alleviate the hardships that COVID-19 is causing to the triathlon community.”

Charles Adamo, Chairman of the PTO, stated that, “The actions taken by the PTO today are indicative of the way our athletes are viewed as valuable partners. Once events were being cancelled, the Crankstart Investments team immediately contacted us and wanted to find the best way to provide short-term support to the athletes. We will continue to monitor the ongoing impact and hope to be able to adopt additional programmes where athletes are not only supported, but also are able to provide support to others who may be struggling in this current environment. As an organisation, the PTO and its professional athletes will look to work with governing bodies, race directors, race organisers and our entire triathlon community to see how we are able to help.”

The PTO also has also announced that under the current circumstances, The Collins Cup, scheduled for May 30, will need to be postponed and will be rescheduled for 2021 at the x-bionic-sphere®. For THE CHAMPIONSHIP, scheduled for May 31, Challenge Family and the x-bionic-sphere are working closely with the local authorities to determine if the event should and can be rescheduled for a later 2020 date. Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, commented that, “Given the complex and innovative broadcast production we were going to deliver for The Collins Cup, it is just impossible to logistically have all the worldwide vendors and suppliers gearing-up in this uncertain environment and be able to hold The Collins Cup this year.”

• PTO Website

IRONMAN Triathlon parent company Wanda Sports Group (Dalian Wanda) agrees US$ 240m loan facility with Credit Suisse

The funding will help Wanda Sports Group to refinance and prepay its existing annual term loan facility, dated 15th Match 2019. The agreement has been made at uncertain times for the sports industry due SARS-CoV-2 pandemie and global outbreak of COVID-19 infection, with Wanda Sports Group announcing earlier in the month that the ongoing coronavirus outbreak could have a ‘material adverse impact’ on the company. Continue on SportsPro.

SARSCoV2: THE IRONMAN GROUP’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

THE IRONMAN GROUP’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

To our global community, We know that both our athletes and our communities want to be racing; we do too. While The IRONMAN Group’s mission is to provide exceptional, life-changing race experiences for athletes of all levels, from their first step to the finish line, we can only accomplish this by providing the safest possible environment, and safeguarding the citizens of our host communities. COVID-19 has substantially altered the global sports landscape and will have material impact on the mass participation industry in the immediate term. We want to reassure you that the health and well-being of our community is our primary concern. To this end, we are doing our part to communicate effectively and follow public health agencies and governmental authorities’ recommendations. We expect that there are going to be substantial and widespread event postponements in the coming weeks and months. The decision to proceed, restrict, modify or postpone an event will be based on availability of community resources and ongoing event-specific risk assessment in coordination with the relevant healthcare and government authorities and the IRONMAN Global Medical Advisory Board, an independent medical advisory board focused on health and safety. For events that will continue, The IRONMAN Group, along with the IRONMAN Global Medical Advisory Board, has outlined a series of pragmatic and practical actions designed to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 or any other infectious agent to athletes and to members of our host communities. These steps will help athletes achieve their goals while allowing communities to secure the benefits of hosting mass participation sporting events. They will be implemented worldwide at all IRONMAN Group events beginning March 19 and will continue indefinitely. Self-care and Risk Minimization Athletes who are sick or have been potentially exposed to an infectious agent must not compete or attend events, as this puts others at risk. As a community, we each have a personal responsibility to protect each other by complying with this rule. We ask that all athletes, volunteers and partners follow the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for basic protective measures against the new coronavirus: Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority. Regularly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash your hands with soap and water, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Practice good respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of used tissues immediately and appropriately in a bin. Providing Flexibility to Athletes  Certain races will be postponed or cancelled due to the outbreak and we will communicate these as soon as practical. Our goal will be to move the race to a date later in the year. We work in close partnership with the relevant public health authorities in the territories where the races take place and err on the side of safety for our athletes and the host community. If an event cannot occur on the scheduled date, we will take the following actions: Postponement:  Registered athletes for events that are postponed due to COVID-19 by the local health authorities are automatically transferred to the rescheduled date. For those that the new date does not work, we will allow deferrals into the same event the next year. Cancellation: Registered athletes for events that are cancelled due to COVID-19 by the local health authorities are automatically deferred to the same race in 2021. Other options: We are vetting other options to allow displaced athletes to race in 2020 and will communicate those in due course. Athletes in Quarantined/Restricted Territories: For athletes in certain designated quarantine or restricted territories who have registered for races that take place before June 1, 2020 and have NOT been postponed or cancelled, we will aid in finding alternative races later in the season. For those who are sick, feel unwell, or have been potentially exposed to an infectious agent in advance of a race that will take place, do not come to the race; instead seek medical care. Once you have done so, contact the relevant Athlete Services representative for your race and we will attempt to find you another solution. Safe Event Experience  In order to provide the safest experience for our athletes, we are instituting the following at our races, effective March 19.   Reinforcing Social Distancing in all elements of the event The hours of on-site event registration will be expanded. Athletes will be allowed to pick up their athlete race kit/race bib and immediately exit expo area. Athlete density will be decreased by increasing individual race space staging, corrals, etc. No-handshake behavior will be encouraged for the duration of the event. Athlete briefing information will be available digitally only. Non-core, high-contact services (e.g. wetsuit peeling) will be suspended.  Hygiene First Staff and volunteers who are interacting with participants pre-race, on race day and post-race will be provided gloves. Hand-washing stations and sanitation stations around the venue for athletes, volunteers and spectators will be increased No-touch waste disposal stations and receptacles will be rolled out as available. Frequently touched surfaces at race venue locations such as workstations, product distribution areas, tables and electronic devices will be cleaned regularly. When possible, on-course food and fluid supplies will be single use/single serving closed packaging Athletes planning to return home by airplane or rail are encouraged to avoid travel post-event for 24 hours allowing their immune system time to recover post-race. No onsite interviews or press conference with professional athletes. No handshake/contact on the race podium. Printed document distribution will be eliminated.  Medical Service Education and awareness training regarding signs and symptoms of COVID-19 will be provided to all medical and volunteer staff. Frequent communication with health authorities and healthcare facilities will be implemented to assist in assessment, referral and initial management of suspected COVID-19 illness of staff, participants, volunteers, and spectators. This is a highly dynamic situation and we will continue to adapt and adjust as appropriate. We appreciate your patience in the coming days and weeks. We recognize that this is a challenging time but our community will endure. We are inspired by your  ambition, and endeavor to be worthy of your commitment. As further updates are available, they will be posted at www.ironman.com/updates and www.runrocknroll.com/updates in addition to our individual event sites and social media pages. Thank you for your continued support, and we wish you the best in health and wellness. Andrew Messick President & Chief Executive Officer The IRONMAN Group

2020 IRONMAN Now Facebook Watch Schedule Announced with 19 Featured Events

Facebook Watch enters third year as exclusive digital home of live race coverage. he IRONMAN Group, a Wanda Sports Group company (Nasdaq: WSG), today announced it will continue live event coverage on Facebook Watch via the IRONMAN Now® Facebook Page for the third straight year, featuring 19 events from around the world in 2020. As the number of events receiving Facebook Watch live coverage has increased each year, so too have the fans tuning in. Over the past two years, more than 5.3 million people have watched at least one minute of an IRONMAN live event broadcast on Facebook.

Available globally to fans on Facebook, the 19 events covered this season will come from 12 different countries and four continents with coverage debuting on March 7 from the Nutri-Grain IRONMAN® New Zealand in Taupo. The storylines are rich with intrigue throughout the year as four regional championships will be featured including the IRONMAN African Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa; the IRONMAN North America Championship in St. George, Utah; The Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship in Cairns, Australia; and the Mainova IRONMAN European Championship in Frankfurt, Germany.

Back by popular demand will be the return of IRONMAN Austria- Kärnten, IRONMAN Italy Emilia-Romagna and the ever-challenging IRONMAN Wales.

Making their inaugural appearance on Facebook Watch will be the first edition of the Certified Piedmontese IRONMAN Tulsa, and IRONMAN Switzerland’s first stop in Thun, while Subaru IRONMAN Canada makes its long-awaited return to Penticton, British Columbia. Long-standing host cities Panama City Beach, Florida, USA and Santa Rosa, California, USA will join one of the oldest and most popular events on the global circuit, Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand, as each also makes their debut on IRONMAN Now.

IRONMAN will produce its live coverage for a connected audience, incorporating unique viewer interaction through Facebook Watch Parties, real-time polls, fan discussion, and user generated content from spectators along the course.

The Vega IRONMAN World Championship, which takes place annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i, will again receive robust week-long programming, culminating in nearly a full-day of live race coverage on October 10. Last year’s Vega IRONMAN World Championship included more than 20 hours of comprehensive live race day coverage, including everything from the early morning body marking to the final hour finish line celebration.

The extensive 2020 coverage concludes where it began in Taupo, New Zealand with the 2020 IRONMAN®70.3® World Championship taking place on Nov. 28-29. Nearly 6,000 of the best triathletes in the world will converge around The Great Lake Taupõ District for what will become the largest event in the series’ history.

The fully produced live event coverage will be hosted by past champions of IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events, including Dede Griesbauer, Matt Lieto, and Michael Lovato, as well as IRONMAN World Champions and Hall of Famers Paula Newby Fraser and Greg Welch.

Live race coverage of the following events as well as a range of on-demand programming will be available on Facebook Watch globally via the IRONMAN Now Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/IRONMANnow. The full 2020 schedule can be found below.

2020 IRONMAN Now Facebook Watch Schedule

• March 7 Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand Taupo, New Zealand
• March 29 IRONMAN African Championship Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
• May 2 IRONMAN North American Championship St. George, Utah, USA
• May 31 Certified Piedmontese IRONMAN Tulsa Tulsa, Okla., USA
• June 7 Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns, Australia
• June 21 IRONMAN Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
• June 28 Mainova IRONMAN European Championship Frankfurt, Germany
• July 5 IRONMAN Austria-Kärnten Klagenfurt, Austria
• July 12 IRONMAN Switzerland Thun, Switzerland
• July 25 IRONMAN Santa Rosa Santa Rosa, Calif., USA
• August 15 IRONMAN Kalmar Kalmar, Sweden
• August 23 Subaru IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant Mont-Tremblant, Québec, Canada
• August 30 Subaru IRONMAN Canada Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
• September 6 IRONMAN Wales Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom
• September 19 IRONMAN Italy Emilia-Romagna Cervia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• September 26 IRONMAN Portugal – Cascais Cascais, Portugal
• October 10 Vega IRONMAN World Championship Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i, USA
• November 7 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida Panama City Beach, Florida, USA
• November 28-29 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo, New Zealand

Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) Announces $2M Annual Bonus Programme, with Collins Cup whopping $4M purse

The Professional Triathletes Organisation today announced that it has adopted a $2,000,000 Annual Bonus Programme pursuant to which athletes will be paid based on their PTO World Rankings at the end of 2020. The bonus amounts range from $100,000 for the PTO World No. 1 male and female athletes, to $10,000 for the PTO World No. 20 male and female athletes. In addition, male and female athletes ranked at the end of the year between 21-50 shall each be paid $5,000 and those ranked between 51-100 shall be paid $2,000.

Rachel Joyce, Co-President of the PTO commented, “We are very pleased to be able to adopt an annual bonus programme that rewards athletes for outstanding performances throughout the year. The triathlon season is a long one and just because an athlete might have an off race in a large event, doesn’t mean that their year’s performance should go unrewarded.”

The PTO World Rankings is a first-of-its-kind ranking technology to measure the greatest non-drafting professional triathletes. It is a worldwide benchmark of consistent excellence in triathlon. In addition to being the basis for the PTO Annual Bonus Programme, it is used to determine automatic qualification spots for The Collins Cup.

Tim O’Donnell, Co-President of the PTO, stated, “The adoption of the PTO Annual Bonus Plan, together with the $2,000,000 payments at The Collins Cup, means that so far in 2020 the PTO will be paying 200 professional triathletes $4,000,000. We believe that this demonstrates the value and benefits of professionals being unified in our own organization and we hope that this is just the beginning of the many ways the PTO can bring not only a voice but meaningful contributions to our sport.”



Editor‘s note:

Together with the $2,000,000 prize purse from inaugural Collins Cup a new dimension in sport of triathlon is opened with contributions from PTO‘s support network around Billionaire Mike Moritz, who likely want to build a platform from the NBA, NFL, NHL league’s blueprint in the U.S. with various shareholders from different group of interests.

Wanda Sports considering $1 billion sale of Ironman triathlon, Bloomberg reports

Wanda Sports Group Co., part of Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin’s conglomerate, is considering selling the global Ironman triathlon business it bought in 2015 for est. USD 650 million. Wanda Sports Group Co. is working with an adviser and has held discussions with some private-equity buyers that expressed interest in the business according to unnamed sources. The company holds also other sports assets outside China like Infront Sports & Media AG and many more.

A deal could come after Wanda Sports declined to enter talks last year with The Professional Triathletes Organization, which was interested in acquiring the Ironman business. The organization said at the time that excessive leverage has hampered Wanda Sports’s ability to invest in Ironman operations. 

Wanda Sports shares have dropped about 63% in New York trading since their July 2019 debut, paring the company’s market value to about $409 million. With total debt at about $968 million, the company has an enterprise value of about $1.2 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. 

Read more on Bloomberg.

Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) Approaches Wanda Sports Renewing Interest In IRONMAN Acquisition and Expressing Willingness To Work With Other Potential Acquirers

The Professional Triathletes Organisation today released the following letter sent to the Board of Directors of Wanda Sports Group Company Limited on 3rd February 2020 advising the Board that the PTO has closed on its financial partnership with Crankstart Investments and renewing the PTO’s proposal to enter into discussions to acquire the Ironman® business.

3rd February 2020

Board of Directors
Wanda Sports Group Company Limited
Wanda Plaza
Tower B, 9th Floor
93 Jianguo Road Chaoyang District
Beijing, China
Attn: Mr. Hengming Yang–CEO

Andrew Messick
Chief Executive Officer
World Triathlon Corporation
407 W. Martin Luther King Blvd
Suite 100
Tampa, Florida 33607

Dear Members of the Board:

We are writing on behalf of the Professional Triathletes Organisation (the “PTO”) to advise you that we have closed on our partnership financing with Crankstart Investments. We again want to put forth our proposal to enter into discussions for the acquisition by the PTO of all of the assets of the Wanda Sports Group Company Limited (“WSG”) related to its worldwide triathlon and mass participation business (the “WTC Business”).

The PTO is prepared to consider an all-cash transaction or one in which the existing shareholders of WSG are able to participate in the growth of the WTC Business that the PTO is uniquely positioned to deliver. We strongly believe that it is only with the assistance of the PTO and its professional athletes that the WTC Business has the ability to stabilise and grow, and that without our cooperation the WTC Business would deteriorate.  We are happy to work with any other financially stable group who may be interested in acquiring the WTC Business, reducing its debt load and unleashing the value only the PTO and its professional athletes can deliver.

The PTO and North Point Advisors, our financial advisors, are prepared to begin discussions forthwith with your senior management and your financial advisors and to sign a customary confidentiality agreement in order to commence certain confirmatory due diligence.  In light of the significance of this proposal to your shareholders and the triathlon community, as well as the potential for selective disclosures, we will publicly release the text of this letter tomorrow morning.

We believe this proposal represents a unique opportunity to realise significant value for WSG shareholders and employees, and that the PTO can uniquely provide a healthy and growing environment for the WTC Business.

We hope that you and your Board share our enthusiasm and, consistent with applicable fiduciary duties, we look forward to a prompt and favourable reply.



Respectfully yours,



Charles D. Adamo
Chairman

Sam Renouf
Chief Executive Officer

Rachel Joyce
Co-President

Tim O’Donnell
Co-President

cc: David Jacquin
North Point Advisors
580 California Street
Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94104

Professional Triathletes Organisation Announces Financial Partner And $2,000,000 Collins Cup

The Professional Triathletes Organisation today announced that it has partnered with Crankstart Investments, an investment vehicle for Michael Moritz, in establishing a platform for professional triathletes to begin to realise their goal of athlete self-determination. As a result of this partnership, the PTO is also announcing that The Collins Cup will be held from 29-30th May 2020 at the x-bionic® sphere, in Samorin, Slovakia, and there will be over $2,000,000 in prize money for the event.

Rachel Joyce, Co-President of the PTO, commented “This day has been long in coming and we are grateful to the great professional triathletes who have, through all their blood and sweat over many years, paved the way for this opportunity to materialise. The Collins Cup will be a true celebration of both the history and the future of the sport we love so much, and we look forward to hosting the event and engaging the entire triathlon community.”

Charles Adamo, Chairman of the PTO, stated that “The PTO has been working for a number of years to create an environment and structure where professional triathletes have a meaningful voice in the way the sport is operated and can contribute to its growth for the benefit of the entire triathlon community. We are very pleased to have teamed up with Crankstart Investments and Michael Moritz, who share our vision in the potential of the sport and the best means by which to see it grow and thrive.”

Under its partnership, the PTO and Crankstart Investments share equally in all profits generated by operations. Michael Moritz, Chairman of Crankstart Investments, commented “The spread of the internet, the rise in the number of media outlets thirsty for top-notch sporting content, combined with the latest production techniques now make it possible to bring to international audiences the extraordinary accomplishments of today’s highest performing athletes – the top forty male and female triathletes in the world. A major part of the attraction of the PTO is that, unlike every other sport, men and women compete for equal prize money and the athletes are co-owners of the business. This means that all participants will share, on an equal footing, in the PTO’s collective success – a recipe that is a mainstay of the Silicon Valley investment model.”

Tim O’Donnell, Co-President of the PTO, commented “We are very pleased to be able to provide professional triathletes with the platform to put on display their tremendous athletic performances and make a difference in our sport. We are grateful for the confidence that Crankstart Investments and Michael Moritz have placed in us, and we appreciate that with this confidence comes great responsibility. As co-owners in this partnership, the PTO and its professional members are committed to not only making it a success, but also to being a contributor to the growth of the sport and the wider triathlon community. While arranging the investment, we were working behind the scenes and over 100 professional triathletes have become members of the PTO, including all of the top 35 men and top 35 women in the PTO World Rankings. Now that we have been able to make this announcement, we can invite all licenced professionals to become PTO Members. There are no costs or membership fees involved and any professional can find out more information by e-mailing us at membership[AT]protriathletes.org.”

North Point Advisors has acted as exclusive placement agent for the Professional Triathletes Organisation.

• Website Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO)
• Website Collins Cup

Professional Triathletes Organisation Announces The Inaugural Collins Cup With $2,000,000 Prize Purse

The Professional Triathletes Organisation today announced that the inaugural Collins Cup will be held on 29–30th May 2020 at the extraordinary x-bionic® sphere in Samorin, Western Slovakia and will have a prize purse of over $2,000,000. It will bring together the greatest professional triathletes in the world in a team competition to do battle to see who dominates the sport.

USA vs. INTERNATIONSALS vs. EUROPE

Modelled after golf’s Ryder Cup, The Collins Cup is a competition among USA, Europe and the Internationals. Each team will consist of 12 professional triathletes, six men and six women. Eight athletes, four men and four women, will earn a place on their respective teams by way of the PTO World Rankings™ System and the remaining four athletes, two men and two women, will be selected by the non-athlete PTO Board Members with advice from Team Captains.

The Team Captains for The Collins Cup 2020 are:

USA
Mark Allen
Karen Smyers

INTERNATIONALS
Craig Alexander
Simon Whitfield
Erin Baker
Lisa Bentley

EUROPE
Normann Stadler
Chrissie Wellington

An athlete from each team will battle against one another in an individual race of three, so there will be 12 separate race matches, each staggered 10 minutes apart. Athletes will be awarded points for their team based on performances in their respective race match and the team with the most overall points from the 12 race matches will claim the spoils of The Collins Cup and bragging rights as the most dominant force in the sport. The team that finishes last will receive The Broke Spoke Trophy. Click here to view “How It Works”

Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, commented, “The format of USA vs Europe vs Internationals will add a whole new level of competition and pure excitement for triathlon. By adopting a proven format like the Ryder Cup with its nationalistic intensity, and having a points system that creates drama throughout the race, The Collins Cup is designed to be a compelling live TV event that appeals not only to the fans of endurance sports, but also to the general sports enthusiast.”

Tim O’Donnell, Co-President of the PTO, commented, “We could not be more thrilled with the first Collins Cup being hosted at x-bionic® sphere in Samorin. The primary mission of the PTO is to celebrate the sport of triathlon. The Collins Cup, by bringing together legendary team captains to lead today’s top triathletes in a battle to see which region dominates the sport of triathlon, will not only be a riveting competition, but will serve as a platform for professionals and fans alike to celebrate our sport.”

Zibi Szlufcik, Chairman of CHALLENGEFAMILY, commented, “We are delighted to be working with the PTO to host the inaugural Collins Cup at the extraordinary x-bionic® sphere in Samorin, Western Slovakia. The spectacular venue could not be more perfect for the PTO’s inaugural event and the weekend promises to be a triathlon celebration unlike any other.”

Mario Hoffman, owner of x-bionic® sphere stated “It is a great honour for Slovakia, Šamorín and x-bionic® sphere to host such a magnificent event. I can say for the whole team that we are thrilled to be a part of history and we are ready to help with our knowledge and vast experience in organizing huge international sports events.”

• Website Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO)
• Website Collins Cup

Professional Triathletes Organisation Announces Selection Of Dave Scott As The Athleta Emeritus Honouree For Inaugural Collins Cup

The Professional Triathletes Organisation today announced that it has selected Dave Scott as the Athleta Emeritus Honouree for the inaugural Collins Cup. The Collins Cup is a Ryder Cup style triathlon event in which teams from the USA, Europe and the Internationals do battle to see who rules the world of triathlon. The Collins Cup is the flagship event for the Professional Triathletes Organisation, an association representing professional triathletes with a mission to celebrate the sport of triathlon.

The PTO has determined that each year the The Collins Cup race will honour an individual who has distinguished themselves in the sport of triathlon by recognising them as the Athleta Emeritus Honouree. For the inaugural Collins Cup, it has been decided that there would be no better person upon whom to bestow this honour than Dave Scott.

Tim O’Donnell, President of the PTO, commented “While we are deeply indebted to all the tremendous triathletes whose blood and sweat over many decades has paved the way for the PTO and The Collins Cup to become a reality, Dave was truly the progenitor of professional triathlon. In 1980, when, in his first IRONMAN® championship race in Hawaii, he cut nearly two hours off the previous record, he established standards of performance that would forever drive all triathletes, amateur and professional, to challenge limits thought impossible.  It is only fitting that the inaugural Collins Cup, the first ever event owned and operated by professional triathletes, pay tribute to Dave.”

It is nearly impossible to list all of Dave Scott’s accomplishments. The six-time IRONMAN® World Champion is known by the nickname “The Man” for his intense training regimens and his unrelenting race performances that created a record number of wins. Dave Scott is the Roger Bannister, Pele, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Jack Nicklaus of triathlon. His performances transcended what was ever thought possible.  On a full distance course, he was the first athlete to go under 11 hours, under 10:30, under 10:00, under 9:30, under 9:00 and under 8:30. He also was the first to go under 3:00 hours for the IRONMAN® marathon, the first under 2:55 and the first under 2:50.  He has spent a lifetime defining triathlon first as an athlete, then as a coach, including coaching European Collins Cup Captain, Chrissie Wellington.

Dave commented, “It is truly an honour to be named by the PTO as the Athleta Emeritus Honouree for the inaugural Collins Cup. I am thrilled to see the PTO come together. It has been 40 years in the making and I am very pleased to see today’s generation of professionals have their own organisation and a voice in the sport.  Given the $2,000,000 prize purse at The Collins Cup, I am very tempted to come out of retirement and attempt to qualify for the event myself.”

The Collins Cup is a unique new broadcast-friendly triathlon race which brings together the world’s greatest triathletes in a team competition to do battle to see who dominates the sport. Modelled on golf’s Ryder Cup, the format of USA vs. Europe vs. the Internationals will add a whole new level of competition and pure excitement to triathlon. The PTO will host the inaugural Collins Cup at the extraordinary x-bionic® sphere in Samorin, Western Slovakia on 29-30th May 2020.

• Website Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO)
• Website Collins Cup

2022 European Championships will be hosted in Munich

2022 European Championships will be hosted in Munich, Bavaria from 11.-21. August, feat.  Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Track & Field, Rowing, Triathlon, and one more (yet unconfirmed) thing. The EC2022 Board is pleased to announce that Munich will host the 2022 European Championships following unanimous approval of their bid by the participating European Federations.

Munich to host Multi-Sport European Championships in August 2022.

Munich 2022 will also mark the 50th anniversary of the Olympic Games held in the German city, with the iconic Munich Olympic Park set to be the heart of the second edition of the multi-sport championships.

Six sports that were part of the 2018 edition have already confirmed their participation and the staging of their respective continental championships in the event that will take place Thursday 11th to Sunday 21st August 2022: Athletics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon.

Eurovision Sport, a division of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), will again be the media rights partner for the Championships, ensuring extensive free-to-air coverage through EBU Member broadcasters and partners.

The majority of events and activities will take place in and around the Munich Olympic Park in order to create an extraordinary festival atmosphere that allows athletes from different sports to experience the event together and visitors to embrace multiple events.

The EC2022 Board is also pleased to confirm the dates of the 2026 edition of the European Championships. Following consultation involving the participating European Federations (European Athletics, UEC, FISA, UEG, ETU, ET-LET), the dates are: Thursday 30th July to Sunday 9th August 2026.

European Championships 2022 Board Chair and European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen said, "I speak for all the participating sports in saying how delighted we are to be going to the wonderful city of Munich in 2022, and for athletics we are especially happy to be heading back to Germany, after the success of Berlin 2018, where we know there are so many passionate sports fans. It is testament to the fantastic legacy of the Munich Olympic Park that we will bring our individual European Championships together again there, on the 50th anniversary of the Olympic Games, and use many of its iconic venues.

"We are very pleased to partner again with Eurovision Sport, meaning that millions of sports fans will be able to experience the unique excitement of the European Championships 2022, via free-to-air broadcasters."

The inaugural European Championships in 2018 took place through 2nd to 12th August, with Glasgow and Berlin successfully staging seven European Championships with 13 disciplines.

A television audience of more than 1.4 billion watched this memorable first edition on free-to-air channels via EBU Member broadcasters and partners in 44 territories across Europe and worldwide. There were 1.9 billion visits on websites registered and the reach on social media was 745 million.

Across the two host cities, a total of one million people attended a sports session at the likes of Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, watched a road race on the cities’ streets, or experienced the festival-like atmospheres in George Square in Glasgow and the Breitscheidplatz in Berlin.
(with content from Europeanchampionships.com)

1. Europeanchampionships
2. Olympiapark.de

The Magic of Maui, Hawaii - 2019 XTERRA World Championship Video Highlights

Kapalua (Maui, Hawaii) - Bradley Weiss (RSA) and Flora Duffy (BMU) captured the 24th XTERRA World Championship off-road triathlon elite titles on a beautiful day at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui’s northwest coast this morning. The race highlights are available in a 8:39 minutes video.

Ironman Hawaii im Video-Stream: Jan Frodeno (GER) mit Fabelzeit (7:51:13), Anne Haug (GER) stürmt im Marathon mit drittschnellster aller Kona-Zeiten zum Weltmeistertitel (8:40:10)

Historischer Doppelsieg beim Ironman Hawaii. Bei den Männern holt sich Jan Frodeno (GER) die Triathlon-Krone von Kona mit Streckenrekord zurück, bei den Frauen triumphiert mit Anne Haug erstmals eine Deutsche. Insgesamt sind 5 Deutsche in den Top 10.

A race for the ages. @janfrodeno pic.twitter.com/SZQvcs4tP6

— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) October 13, 2019 

What a race by Anne Haug! 🔥#IMWC #VegaTeam pic.twitter.com/jClZDetNDd

— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) October 13, 2019

Der 12. Oktober 2019 wird nicht nur in der Bucht von Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in die Geschichtsbücher des Triathlonsports Eingang finden. Bei widrigen Bedingungen im Schwimmen über 3,8km, wolkigem und windigem Einzelzeitfahren über 180km und einem Marathon in der Lavawüste Ironman Hawaii holt sich Jan Frodeno (GER) mit einer Fabelzeit von 7:51:13 seinen dritten Weltmeistertitel im IRONMAN Triathlon auf Big Island und deklassiert den Wettbewerb. Silber sichert sich Timothy O'Donnel (USA, 7:59:40) vor Sebastian Kienle (GER, 8:02:04).

.@janfrodeno is your 2019 @VegaTeam IRONMAN World Champion in a world best 7:51:13. This is Frodeno's third World Championship victory! 🏆#IMWC #AnythingisPossible #VegaTeam pic.twitter.com/FdCckimOew

— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) October 13, 2019

Your 2019 @VegaTeam IRONMAN World Championship men's podium!

🥇 @janfrodeno (7:51.13)
🥈 @TOinTRI (7:59.40)
🥉 @SebastianKienle (8:02.04)

Congratulations to all the finishers! #IMWC pic.twitter.com/ZHtgD7a1PS

— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) October 13, 2019

Der zweifache Olympiasieger Alistair Brownlee (GBR) muss wie viele andere Titelaspiranten Lehrgang entrichten. Eine hohe Trittfrequenz, eine ökonomisch viel Energie vergeudende Fahrweise auf Radstrecke und die sich aufbauende Hitze im Körperkern lassen ihn aus zwischenzeitlicher Führung und Top 3 purzeln. Nach Laufkilometer 15 machte ihm das Rennen zusehends zu schaffen und er verlor Platzierung um Platzierung.

Titelverteidiger Patrick Lange (GER) wird nach sehr gutem Schwimmen und früher Isolation auf dem Rad aus gleich mehreren Radgruppen nach hinten durchgereicht. Er verliert seinen Streckenrekord über  die Gesamtzeit an Frodeno aus dem Vorjahr, den er sich durch Hilfe auf der Radstrecke und historisch milden Bedingungen sichern konnte. Vielleicht sollte er das Jahr 2019 als Strafe durch die hawaiianische Vulkangöttin Madame Pele einordnen. Lange steigt abrupt aus, als er einen Betreuer am Streckenrand sieht: DNF. Fieber in der Nacht auf den Rennmorgen soll die Ursache der Aufgabe sein, so die Auskunft seines Managements.

Anne Haug (GER) stürmt im Marathon (2:51:07) mit drittschnellster aller Kona-Zeiten zum Weltmeistertitel (8:40:10) an der lange führenden Lucy Charles.Barclay (GBR, 8:46:44) und Sarah Crowley (8:48:13) vorbei. Laura Philipp (8:51:42) und Daniela Bleymehl (9:08:30) runden den erfreulichen Tag aus deutscher Sicht ab.

Anne Haug is your 2019 @VegaTeam IRONMAN World Champion in 8:40:10! #IMWC #AnythingisPossible 🏆 pic.twitter.com/22woeYloDB

— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) October 13, 2019

Your 2019 @VegaTeam IRONMAN World Championship women's podium! #IMWC #VegaTeam

🥇 Anne Haug (8:40.10)
🥈 Lucy Charles-Barclay (8:46.44)
🥉 Sarah Crowley (8:48.13) pic.twitter.com/oJKfd5XPPc

— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) October 13, 2019

Einen gebrauchten Tag mit erwischte Titelverteidigerin Daniela Ryf (SUI). Sichtbar kraftlos auf dem Fahrrad fand Sie auch im Marathon nicht zu gewohnter Dominanz und verlor erstmalig ein Rennen im IRONMAN. Auf Instagram berichtete die Schweizerin von einem Magen-DarmVirus. Die vierfache Weltmeisterin beendete das Rennen auf Platz 13.

Ergebnisse
IRONMAN World Championship, Kona, Hawaii – Saturday 12th October 2019

3.8km / 180km / 42.2km

Männer

1. Jan Frodeno (GER) – 7:51:13
2. Timothy O’Donnell (USA) – 7:59:40
3. Sebastian Kienle (GER) – 8:02:04
4. Ben Hoffman (USA) – 8:02:52
5. Cameron Wurf (AUS) – 8:06:41
6. Joe Skipper (GBR) – 8:07:46
7. Braden Currie (NZL) – 8:08:48
8. Philipp Koutny (SUI) – 8:10:29
9. Bart Aernouts (BEL) – 8:12:27
10. Chris Leiferman (USA) – 8:13:37

Frauen

1. Anne Haug GER) – 8:40:10
2. Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) – 8:46:44
3. Sarah Crowley (AUS) – 8:48:13
4. Laura Philipp (GER) – 8:51:42
5. Heather Jackson (USA) – 8:54:44
6. Kaisa Sali (FIN) – 8:55:33
7. Corinne Abraham (GBR) – 8:58:38
8. Carrie Lester (AUS) – 8:58:40
9. Daniela Bleymehl (GER) – 9:08:30
10. Linsey Corbin (USA) – 9:09:06

Wer die Show mit zahlreichen Führungswechseln verpasst hat, kann neben den Zieleinlaufen auch das ganze Rennen auf Facebook in zwei Teilen nachverfolgen.

1. 2019 IRONMAN Hawaii Teil 1
2. 2019 IRONMAN Hawaii Teil 2
3. Alle Ergebnisse auf Ironman.com

Wer gewinnt den IRONMAN Hawaii Triathlon 2019? Kann Daniela Ryf den Titel verteidigen? Wer soll Jan Frodeno und Alistair Brownlee schlagen?

Der traditionelle Höhepunkt der internationalen Triathlonsaison findet im Oktober beim IRONMAN Hawaii Triathlon in der Bucht von Kona im kleinen Städtischen Kailua-Kona statt. Können die Schweizer und Deutschen erneut die oberste Stufe des Podiums besteigen und Daniela Ryf  erfolgreich die Titel gegen Lucy Charles-Barclay, Anne Haug, Laura Philipp und Co. verteidigen? Wird es tatsächlich ein windiger Tag, wie vorhergesagt? Wie schlagen sich Alistair Brownlee,  Jan Frodeno, Sebastian Kienle, Lionel Sanders und Cameron Wurf als Aspiranten bei widrigen Wetterbedingungen?

Wetter und lokales Mikroklima haben immer einen großen Einfluss auf den IRONMAN Hawaii Triathlon, weil etwa leichtgewichtige Top-Läufer mit Hitze und wenig Wind auf der Radstrecke besser zurechtkommen, als große und schwere Powerbiker. Screenshot: Weather.com

Um die Prognose und den Rennbericht abzukürzen; kein Schwimmrekord wegen zu viel Wellengang und Strömung auf dem Weg zurück, eine starke erste Gruppe mit den Top-Favoriten Frodeno und Brownlee. Aufkommender Wind erschwert den verdeckten oder offenen Einsatz von Domestiken auf der Radstrecke und pulverisiert früh alle Chancen für hitzeoptimierte „Nur-Läufer“, wie Patrick Lange.

Prognose Männer

1. Jan Frodeno
2. Sebastian Kienle
3. Alistair Brownlee
4. Lionel Sanders
5. Cameron Wurf

Prognose Frauen

1. Daniela Ryf
2. Lucy Charles-Barclay
3. Laura Philipp
4. Anne Haug
5. Imogen Simmonds

Dann bleibt noch die Frage nach den besten Möglichkeiten den Klassiker in der Nacht vom 12- auf den 13. Oktober 2019 anzuschauen.

Im Internet, natürlich auf Facebook und Ironman Now

Die langjährige Kooperation zwischen der World Triathlon Corporation und Facebook macht sich bezahlt. Die Qualität der Übertragung und technische Stabilität des Live-Streamings haben deutlich gewonnen. „IRONMAN now“ hat sich etabliert. Wer keine Angst vor englischer Dauerberieselung hat, den ein oder anderen unnötigen Schaltungen in die Belanglosigkeit und interessanten Studiogästen hat, ist hier an der richtigen Adresse.

Im öffentlich-rechtlichen Fernsehen in ARD und hessenfernsehen

Auch das öffentlich-rechtliche Fernsehen, mit satten 8 Mrd. jährlichen Einnahmen opulent ausgestattet, kommt seinem Sendeauftrag bei der WM im IRONMAN nach.

Von 18:23 bis 18:48 Uhr schaltet die ARD (das Erste) zum noch immer imposanten Start der Schwimmer in die Bucht von Kailua-Kona, um sich dann von 23:50 bis 3:15 Uhr erneut auf Sendeplatz 1 zu tummeln.

Für weitere Impressionen aus Hawaii sorgt das Angebot im dritten Programm: der HR überträgt von 22:30 bis 3:15 Uhr ebenfall live aus Hawi und vom Alii Drive mit kompetenter Unterstützung von Andreas Raelert und Thomas Hellriegel.

Abgerundet wird die große Show durch ein Live-Streaming auf www.sportschau.de ab 18:22 Uhr. 

• Website IRONMAN Hawaii
• Liveübertragung und Livestreaming am Renntag

Die Sportschau entdeckt die Moral bei Berichterstattung aus den Randsportarten: Bahrain Endurance 13

Die Sportschau aus dem Hause der ARD hat einmal mehr kurz vor der WM der Triathleten auf Big Island, Hawaii die Moral für sich entdeckt und berichtet durchaus kritisch aus den Randsportarten. Konkret geht es um die Gründung des Bahrain Endurance Teams (Bahrain 13), das von Kronprinz Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa ins Leben gerufen wurde und dem er als eines von zwölf Mitgliedern selbst angehört. Thematisiert werden hauptsächlich die Menschenrechte und die Rechtslage im Königreich Bahrain und das von Vertretern von Menschenrechtsorganisationen vorgebrachte Argument des Whitewashings durch das Engagement im Sport. 

Wenzel Michalski (Human Rights Watch) erläutert im Beitrag der Sportschau seine Sichtweise auf PR-Strategien von Autokratien durch Sport. Screeshot: ARD Sportschau

Crème de la Crème des Triathlons

In der sehenswerten Reportage fokussieren sich die Autoren auf das derzeitige Teammitglied Jan Frodeno und das ehemalige Teammitglied Sebastian Kienle. Nicht zu Wort kommen das Teammanagement, die Initiatoren oder die anderen Mitglieder, die in Teilen aus der Crème de la Crème des Triathlons bestehen: Alistair Brownlee, Ashleigh Gentle, Ben Kanute, Daniela Ryf, David Plese, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Holly Lawrence, Javier Gomez, Lauren Parker, Terenzo Bozzone, Vicky Holland und Vincent Luis kommen nicht vor.

Ebenfalls nur am Rande erwähnt wird für Sekunden das aus der Tour de France bekannte ProTour-Profiradteam aus Bahrain ohne nur einen Vertreter vor die Kamera zu bekommen. Da haben es sich die Autoren Robert Kempe und Tom Klees dann doch etwas einfach gemacht.

„Globaler Dialog durch Sport“ ./. „der Sport ist unpolitisch“

Sportler wie Jan Frodeno, die sich der Diskussion stellen, können in diesem PR-Minenfeld eigentlich nur untergehen. Kein Job, um den man Frodeno an diesem Tag (in Frankfurt am Main) beneiden wird. Die Spannung zwischen den Themen „globaler Dialog durch Sport“ und der häufig verwendeten Eigendefinition des organisierten und unorganisierten Sports als „unpolitisch“ kann er nicht wirklich auflösen. Der Sport hat auch nach den Erfahrungen rund um die Weltkriege zum Schutz vor Missbrauch durch Dritte, wie etwa Staaten, und leider auch zum Selbstschutz vor organisatorischer Weiterentwicklung und progressiver Evolution diese Definition bis zum heutigen Tage mit allen Kräften verteidigt.

Michael Michalski (Human Rights Watch) lässt auch die Wirtschaft in diesem Kontext nicht so leicht vom Haken.

Nicht angesprochen wird in dem TV-Bericht...:

Grundsätzlich sollte man mit allen Teilen der Gesellschaft im Dialog sein. Ausnahme sind Gegengesellschaften, die die Zerstörung z. B. unserer freiheitlich-demokratischen Grundordnung offen oder verdeckt vorantreiben. Vor diesen Kräften muss man sich konsequent schützen. Die UN besteht etwa zu mindestens 20% aus Schurkenstaaten und weiteren mindestens 15% durch und durch korrupten Staaten. Ähnlich und weitaus schlimmer verhält es sich in vielen Institutionen des organisierten Sports. An dieser Stelle sei nur auf die Skandale rund um die FIFA oder WM-Vergaben verwiesen.

Eine zugegeben provokante und durchaus unfaire Frage an Sebastian Kienle könnte lauten: „Hast du oder wirst du das aus diesem Vertrag erhaltene Geld spenden, um z. B. die Menschenrechtssituation vor Ort zu verbessern?“

Natürlich wird durch diese Maximalforderung der durch Sebastian Kienle vorzeitig initiierte Vertragsausstieg auch noch moralisch durch Infragestellung der Kommunikation oder Intention der Kommunikation in die Diskussion gezogen.

Andere Teammitglieder können sich der Diskussion entziehen oder werden einfach nicht gefragt, weil öffentliche, (hyper-) moralische Diskussionen eine typisch deutsche Eigenheit sind, während andere Nationen pragmatischer Denken und Handeln. Ich kenne die öffentliche Positionierung neben der im Video gezeigten zwei Deutschen von drei weiteren Teammitgliedern, etwa von Daniela Ryf. Das nacht dann 5/12 (13).

Die Frage an Sebastian Kienle kann man natürlich analog allen 12 weiteren oder anderen, ehemaligen Teammitgliedern stellen.

Ohne weiter auf den moralisch-ethischen Bereich oder die Motivation von Protagonisten oder Initiatoren des Teams einzugehen, ein Hinweis aus technischer Perspektive. Die Gründung von „Bahrain 13“ Endurance hat es geschafft einen in Google sehr negativ besetzten Suchausdruck in einen neuen Rahmen (Framing) zu setzen. Ein Google-SEO und PR-Meisterstück. Eine Diskussion zum Thema findet z. B. auf Facebook statt.

1. ARD Sportschau: Triathlon made in Bahrain
2. Bahrain Endurance Team, Bahrain 13 auf Wikipedia
3. Facebook-Diskussion