Bahrain all set for IronMan 70.3

Manama, Dec. 3 (BNA): HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee confirmed that procedures are almost completed for hosting IronMan 70.3 Championship and the third and final stage of Nasser Bin Hamad Triple Crown Series on Saturday. HH Shaikh Nasser invited the Bahraini youth to attend the three stages of the race (running, swimming and cycling), stating that the interaction of the audience will contribute in the success of the event, which will see the participation of 1100 local and international contenders. HH Shaikh Nasser asserted that the IronMan championship will place the Kingdom of Bahrain as the home of triathlon sports in the Middle East on the international sports map. HH Shaikh Nasser reiterated that the audience will have a big role in the success of the championship, adding that they would encourage the Bahraini participants to achieve good results in the race. He mentioned that the championship attracted Bahraini youth to take part in such a prominent competition and promoted triathlon sports among them. HH Shaikh Nasser announced that the events of the championship will be aired live on Bahrain Sports Channel (BTV) and will also be covered by international news agencies, which would help in making it reach to a large number of audiences locally, regionally and internationally. HH Shaikh Nasser instructed the organising committee to maintain public roads open on the day of the race, aiming to ensure that citizens and residents’ interests are not affected, adding that one lane would be allocated for the contenders and will be reopened after all of them pass through in a period of no more than four hours. HH Shaikh Nasser welcomed the members of Bahrain Endurance 13 Ironman team, who will participate in the championship. He highlighted that their participation would enrich the championship and contributes in making it a successful international sports event, at the same time; HH Shaikh Nasser wished team members all the best in the race. On their part, Bahrain Endurance 13 Ironman team members appreciated HH Shaikh Nasser’s nonstop support which led them to achieve multiple international victories in the past period. The race would be an opportunity to the team’s superstar Daniella Ryf who is one race away from winning the Nasser bin Hamad Triple Crown Series after she won the first two stages in Dubai and Zell am See earlier this year. HH Shaikh Nasser also commended on the sponsoring establishments of the championship, underscoring their supportive policies towards sports events and developing the Bahraini sports culture. The organising committee stated in a press conference held on Thursday that it has taken all the necessary procedures to ensure the success of the championship as per the direct instructions of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The committee announced that the championship will consist of a 1.9 Km swimming race at Khalifa bin Salman Park in Hidd, 90 km cycling race at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and a 21.1 km running at BIC and the surrounding areas. The final registration forms will be received by the committee at Khalifa bin Salman Park, where equipment would be handed over to contenders as the final administrative procedure of the race.