Africa Triathlon

WELCOME TO MADRID, ATHLETES, OFFICIALS, SPECTATORS, JOURNALISTS, and JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH (Junior) and
IOC member, who has promised me that he would be there.

Last years Madrid World Cup was the most exciting competition.  The mens winner, Javier Gomez, pulled off a surprising victory over his teammate and fellow Spaniard Ivan Rana, by a mere 8 seconds. Maik Petzold of Germany was third.

The surprising win by Javier ceased to be a surprise as the 2006 World-Cup continued.  He ended the season as the number one Triathlete World-wide.

How will he do in Madrid 2007?  Who knows?  The level of competition in our charismatic Olympic sport has risen to the point where it is almost impossible to predict the medalists.  Last years Madrid World Cup witnessed an exciting race with Vanessa Fernandes discovering as she slowed down on the last lap of the run that she was not leading but was in second place behind the courageous Kiwi Andrea Hewitt, who had stolen the lead, without Vanessas knowledge that was dramatic.  What was refreshing was bronze medalist Ana Burgos from Spain.

Vanessa, voted the best athlete of the year in her mother country Portugal, this year, has received a couple of shocks from Emma Snowsill of Australia.  Two wonderful ladies, and both good friends.

The mens race was won on the bike course and Javier has a lot to thank his friend Ivan for that.

The Madrid course is one of the best worldwide; a short distance from busy Madrid, at Campo De Casa, a beautiful park, with a beautiful history.  The swim is easy to watch, the bike course has steep hills and the run into the well constructed finish arena is a place to watch and enjoy.

Prince Feisal of Jordan, gave out the medals after the competition, and left to create the World Cup in Aqaba, Jordan.

Thanks to the image of Madrid ITU World Cup, Madrid was a bid city for the 2012 Olympic Games.  Although they lost by a very short margin to London, I believe they should try again. 

The Madrid World Cup is a qualifier for the Olympic Games in Beijing.  The athletes start list is already full, with the worlds best eager to qualify.

To the Athletes, find time in your busy schedule to visit the art gallery - it contains some of the finest paintings in the world.

It is the real Madrid as opposed to the spectacular football team of the same name.

Once more, to the Athletes, please find time to approach Marisol Casado, who is responsible for this success story.

Marisol is a founding member of ITU, the first woman in Spain to compete in a Triathlon.  Also the Secretary General of the National Federation, President of the European Triathlon Federation, and Treasurer of ITU, she played a leading role in getting us into the Olympics.

HAVE A GREAT AND HAPPY SAFE RACE IN
MADRID YOU WONDEROUS CITY

Les McDonald, President
International Triathlon Union