HRH Crown Prince's support to Ironman Championship lauded

Manama, Nov. 7 (BNA): Under the patronage of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, Bahrain will play host to the International Ironman Championship, organised by the Bahrain Triathlon Association. A large number of athletes are expected to contest in what is predicted to be an action-packed event on Bahrain's soil. Commenting on this event, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, hailed the patronage of HRH the Crown Prince to the event, pointing that HRH's support to the event reflects the unwavering support of the leadership to the field of sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain. "Bahrain has become one of the main venues for the Ironman sport worldwide following the Kingdom laying down the foundation for this sport in the country upon witnessing growing interest in the sport here," HH Shaikh Nasser stated, expressing confidence on the Organising Committee of the event to make it a resounding success. HH Shaikh Nasser encouraged athletes in the Kingdom of Bahrain to participate in the championship as it represents a great opportunity to compete with athletes of international level as well as to accumulate more experience. Moreover, HH Shaikh Nasser praised the initiative of adding supporting events to the championship in the shape of a race for children "IronKids" and a women's race. Continued Participation The preparations to hold the event are afoot as the Organising Committee is working to make the event a great success, with different committees being formed to run the event. The committees will be composed mainly of Bahraini nationals who have proven their capabilities and abilities in accomplishing such a task. Expo for Triathlon Equipment The Organising Committee will additionally be launching an expo on the sidelines of the event featuring triathlon equipment used in the Ironman championships. The expo represents an opportunity to acquire the tools considered to be one of the main parts of this sport. With a large expectation of attracting many triathlon enthusiasts, the expo will be held throughout the championship at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. The Championship Activities The Organising Committee has approved a set of activities which will beheld along with the event. The first day's programme will see the launching of the triathlon equipment expo, followed by the registration for players from 10:00am until 7:00pm at the Bahrain International Circuit. A press conference will be held on the first day of the event at 2:00pm in Four Seasons Hotel, Bahrain and a meeting to brief the participants on the event will also be held at the same venue. IRONKids and IRONGirl events will be held on the first day of the championship at 6:00pm and 7:00pm respectively at the Bahrain International Circuit. The first day will conclude with the opening ceremony of the event and a race briefing meeting. The expo will continue on the second day, while a swim practice will take place at 7:30am near Four Seasons, followed by the bike check-in between 10:00am and 5:00pm. Registrations to take part in the championship will be open also on the second day.On the last day of the championship, the Transition will open at 5:30am, and it will close at 6:45am. The race begins at 7:00am as the closing ceremony and the award distribution event will be held at a later stage on the same day.