2019 ITU Grand Final awarded to Lausanne

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has named Lausanne, Switzerland, as the host city for the 31st edition of the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in 2019.

The Grand Final will include the Para Triathlon World Championships and be an important event for Para triathletes seeking preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. This September, the sport will make its Paralympic debut in Rio de Janeiro.

In addition to crowning the 2019 Para triathlon world champions, the event will also name world champions in junior and U23 categories. The city will also welcome thousands of age groupers who will compete to call themselves the fastest in the world.

Lausanne has a storied history of hosting triathlon races dating back to 1998 when the Swiss city welcomed the ITU Triathlon World Championships for the first time. Lausanne later won a bid to host ITU’s pinnacle triathlon event again in 2006, as well as the Sprint World Championships in 2011.

In 2009, the Championships were revamped, expanding the former single-day World Championship race into an exciting multi-city global series, culminating with the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final. Athletes earn points throughout the season and those who win the overall Series are crowned the ITU Triathlon World Champions.

Official dates for the 2019 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final will be confirmed and announced as soon as possible.

“The decision came down between two exceptional bids between Edmonton [Canada] and Lausanne. It was a very difficult decision and we thank both cities for their desire to host the Grand Final. With the naming of the 2019 ITU Grand Final host, we now have the World Championship races confirmed for the next three years, which puts triathlon in a fantastic position,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado.