The Abu Dhabi Tourist Authority (ADTA) has appointed IMG to manage all aspects of the inaugural Abu Dhabi International Triathlon (ADIT), the first world-class triathlon to be held in the Middle East on 13th March, 2010.

The triathlon is expected to attract up to 1,000 of the world's top athletes who will compete for their share of the US$250,000 purse for elites and age-group winners.

The ADTA is working to use sport as a means of raising awareness of the emirate as a business and leisure destination. For the past four years IMG has staged the ADTA's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship - one of the European Tour's premier golf tournaments, held each January and featuring many of the world's top golfers.  

The inaugural ADIT will be raced across two lengths, broadening its appeal to both professionals and amateurs. Professionals will be tested across a 3km swim, followed by a 200km cycle and a 20km running leg. The shorter version for amateurs is half the distance. The ADIT format, with a finishing running leg shorter than typical Ironman events, allows athletes to recover faster and compete more often - a factor which is crucial to international triathlon success. 

Greg Sproule, managing director of IMG Middle East said: "We are very pleased to extend our very important cooperation with the ADTA into the triathlon arena. Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of the ADTA, has tremendous vision and commitment to placing Abu Dhabi as one of the world's premier travel destinations, and the ADIT is another demonstration of that commitment.

"The course has been designed by IMG’s triathlon specialists to ensure both professional and amateur athletes are challenged yet exhilarated by what they see and by the terrain they cover. We are working closely with the ADTA to blend Abu Dhabi's signature culture and destination qualities with the best attributes of the world’s greatest events to create an instant classic in the mass participation calendar."

Nick Rusling, managing director, IMG Mass Participation Sport said: "We are thrilled to be working with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and look forward to creating another world class sporting event to add to their impressive portfolio. The course will take in the many sights of the city including the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where participants will compete on the same circuit as many of the world's top racing drivers. This will be a world-class event delivering an incomparable level of competitor experience and excitement in keeping with both the Abu Dhabi and IMG standards of excellence."

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