In Growing Economies, Triathlon Eyed as a Source of Tourism, and Capital

Good morning everyone,

Well, I’ve definitely had worse newsletter-writing locations than the patio of this Italian café. I’m currently two espressos deep, and may be ready for a third soon. Don’t worry though, I’ll be back to the normal, not-Italian home office next week.

• But first, the final Olympic qualifying race for my wife!

In today’s edition:

• 📈 Growing economies eye triathlon as a source for tourists, and potential capital.

• 🥵 A comprehensive and evidence-based guide to nailing your next hot race.

• 😍 And triathlon has its very own Barbie!

Thanks for being here.

-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor

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ONE BIG THING

In Growing Economies, Triathlon Eyed as a Source of Tourism, and Capital

What is it: As triathlon reaches previously underserved economies, the sport has become an “anchor tenant” of sorts for large-scale business and tourism-based developments.

• Large-scale developments in Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia have all featured high-profile triathlon races as a way to attract global attention, and potential sources of capital.

Uzbekistan opportunity: As part of a focus to bring in millions of more tourists, the Central Asian nation recently completed the $580 million Silk Road Samarkand Tourist Complex.

• The development’s features include hotels, a 17-hectare recreation of the ancient Silk Road, and a large-scale water sports venue.

• Just last week it hosted a globally-broadcasted World Triathlon World Cup event. The first World-level event to be held at the development.

Neom’s notice: Projected to cost over $500 billion, the Saudi Arabian business, sports, tourism, and residential megaproject is being developed as a way to help diversify it’s economy away from oil production. Well-hyped components include Oxagon; a floating city spanning 7km. And the controversial 170km (105m) long city, The Line.

• Since 2022, Supertri (formerly Super League Triathlon) has hosted its globally broadcasted, and highly anticipated Grand Final in Neom.

• The Grand Final has also become a staple of the burgeoning Neom Beach games. A multisport event featuring the Supertri event, Beach Soccer, 3×3 Basketball, and other events.

Malaysia’s Challenge: Malaysia’s $100 billion Forest City development was meant to be an eco-paradise housing over 700,000 people in high-rise apartments and villas. But massive sales misses due to Chinese capital controls and a real estate crisis has seen the development pivot towards being a tourist destination.

• In the fall of 2023, Challenge Family hosted the inaugural edition of Challenge Malaysia which took place entirely within the Forest City development.

• And in early 2024 the second edition of Challenge Malaysia saw athletes from 28 countries participate in the event.

IRONMAN India? IRONMAN has already made inroads in the world’s most populous country with the three previous editions of IRONMAN 70.3 Goa. But in 2025 we could see the subcontinent’s first full-distance event.

• The Gurjarat government is currently investing over $150 million to develop the Dharoi dam region into an adventure sports destination.

• According to an article in Vibes of India (cool name), government officials in Gurjarat are in talks with IRONMAN about hosting a full-distance event in the newly-built sports facilities.

FAVORITES

🥵 Just add heat: For some athletes, summer is fast approaching. And if you have an important race you want to perform well in, that will also be hot, then definitely check out this infographic on how to best prepare! And a side benefit of that heat training, it may be great for your mental health!

🆓 IRONMAN responds: Over 500 athletes DNF’d at last weekend’s IRONMAN 70.3 Morro Bay due to strong ocean currents. And with so many athletes unable to finish IRONMAN has responded in a very surprising way - free race entries! [Reddit]

🏋️ Knees over toes: For over 50 years athletes have been discouraged from performing exercises that put their “knees over toes” (KOT). But this insightful article argues that not only is KOT a typical movement pattern of triathletes, but it should also be trained properly to help improve your performance on the race course (and for the rest of life!). [Triathlete]

😍 Triathlon Barbie: Susanna Rodriguez (ESP) is a Paralympic Champion, doctor, and now, a Barbie. Rodriguez is one of nine female athletes who have had their likeness made into role model dolls in a global effort to encourage girls to stay in sport and realize their full potential. [Mattel]

Ride with a legend: Want to join an exclusive virtual ride with a legend of the sport (rhymes with “John Modeno”)? This initiative from the T100 tour is in support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation and will take part June 6th at 4PM PST. Join from anywhere in the world!

REEL TIME

Elephants upstairs? Or triathletes? 🐘

la_triathlete

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RACE WEEKEND

World Triathlon Championship Series - Cagliari, Italy

It all comes down to the final race of the Olympic qualifying campaign. Among the many storylines we’ll be following are how the incredibly competitive U.S. and Great Britain women’s teams shake out.

• And how France will decide their men’s team after current World Champion Dorian Coninx broke his wrist and elbow in a recent bike crash.

Other pro races

IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau, Challenge St. Polten

QUICK NEWS

Incredible Bea: Bea Pinkerton is set to compete at this weekend’s Ocean City Triathlon and at 91 years of age she’ll no doubt be an inspiration to the other competitors! [Breaking AC]

Grangemouth success: The Grangemouth Triathlon Club is celebrating five of its members who have qualified to compete at the upcoming European Duathlon & Aquathlon Championships. [Falkirk Herald]

Massive kids tri: One of the largest triathlons in the U.S. might not be one you’ve heard of before. But the North Penn IRONKnights Triathlon recently hosted over 2000 elementary students in Towamencin. [North Penn News]

Philippines competition: Over 44 countries will be represented at the upcoming IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay. The Philippines race is also expecting its largest-ever field. [Philstar]

Fact Check: In a previous edition we neglected to mention that Canadian triathlete Carol Montgomery also qualified for two sports at the same Olympics! At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney she qualified for the Triathlon and the 10,000m. Unfortunately she crashed in the triathlon and was unable to compete in the 10k days later.

TEMPO EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE

• Why you need to train faster, not harder! - Volume 3

• How to nail your triathlon training nutrition.

• Why this performance psychologist wants you to celebrate the small wins.

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