As excitement mounts after athletes from 69 countries already registered to compete in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in September, bilateral discussions between Ironman officials and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality this week reinforced the partnership.
Diana Bertsch, Ironman 70.3 World Championship Director said at a media briefing at City Hall on Thursday that she is excited to host this triathlon showpiece in Nelson Mandela Bay, a city blessed with culture and natural beauty.
“I had the opportunity to meet with the city management on Tuesday and it reinforced our partnership. This enables us to host a fabulous event that will showcase the highest standard Nelson Mandela Bay has to offer.
“This is a typical site visit for us and will be back and use the opportunity when we are here to meet with people of the city every time and to visit sites and drive the course to determine that preparations are on track.
“I had an absolute fabulous morning and had the opportunity to be taken around some of the incredible locations that you have here. One of them is the Donkin Reserve where we will have a concert.
“This will be so exciting for the athletes but probably more so for their families and friends travelling with them,” she said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Athol Trollip assured Ironman 70.3 World Championship that the safety of athletes in Nelson Mandela Bay is paramount and stated that steps were already taken to ensure that this principle is practically applied.
“Thousands of athletes will come here to compete and we will ensure that they train safely for the event and participate without any threats to their safety.
“We would like to expose the athletes to some of our iconic tourism offerings and will put a brochure together of our products. A concert will be held at the Donkin. Athletes will walk down the 67 steps on Route 67 to Vuyisile Mini Square where a number of activities are planned to create a festive atmosphere
“I am fully committed to make this event a success together with my Mayoral Committee and our ten Executive Directors to make sure that the needs for the athletes and their professional requirements are met,” Mayor Trollip said.
Daily patrols on routes used by cyclists started after a collaborative meeting between the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South African Police Services and private security companies.
The official logo for Ironman 70.3 World Championship Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa, an astounding collaborative effort by local advertising agencies was also launched on Thursday.
A colaboration between the three local design houses of Strategy. Simon Says and Boomtown came up with the concept of creating an African theme within the letter M which currently appears in bold red in the word - Ironman in their existing logo.
A number of qualifying slots are still available for September, 316 athletes from the United States of America, 119 from Great Britain, 118 from Germany and many more from 66 other countries.
