South Africa’s first Olympic triathlon medallist Henri Schoeman and compatriot Richard Murray will compete at the season-opening ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi at Yas Island next year, it was announced on Monday.
Bronze at Rio
Schoeman, 25, made history at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games when he took home South Africa’s first triathlon medal. He then went on to win his first World Triathlon Series gold medal at the Grand Final in Cozumel, Mexico, last month.
Happy to return
“I am very excited to return to Abu Dhabi and am keen to start the season on the podium, which means I will need to focus a lot more on my running,” Schoeman said. “One of my goals for the next season is to become one of the fastest runners on the circuit.”
Murray returns
Joining Schoeman on the start line for the March 3-4 event is fellow Olympian Richard Murray, whose training partner is two-time Abu Dhabi and reigning world champion Mario Mola. Murray finished second at the 2016 Abu Dhabi Triathlon in February before suffering a broken collar bone in April. He finished fourth at the Rio Games in August.
‘Simply spectacular’
Murray, who also participated in the 2015 Abiu Dhabi Triathlon, said: “Abu Dhabi is one of my favourite races on the calendar, partly because it is the season-opener and so helps me understand where I stand after the off-season training, and partly because it is one of the most scenic races; it’s simply spectacular. I am also excited to race on the new course and can’t wait to check out the Yas Marina Circuit.”
Event information
As well as the elite race which welcomes 130 of the world's top male and female triathletes, the event hosts an amateur race with a variety of course options to suit a range of abilities: Sprint (750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run), Olympic (1,500m swim, 40km cycle, 10km run) and Maxi (1,500m swim, 80km cycle, 20km run). Visit www.abudhabi.triathlon.org for more information.
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