Here’s a short interview with Layne Beachley and Edwin Moses from Sydney which you are reading first on the Laureus Blog:
Edwin Moses Layne Beachley at Grassroots Sport Project in Sydney
Edwin and Layne with triathletes in front of the Harbour Bridge, Sydney
Edwin Moses:
I’ve had some amazing moments since I became Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, and my visit to Sydney with Layne Beachley the Australian surfing legend, was one of the best. In the space of four days we launched a major tie-up with the sport of triathlon, watched the Sydney round of the triathlon world championsip, then visited a grassroots sport project in Sydney.
I’m lucky enough to see many great sports events each year, but the ITU Sydney Triathlon was something else. The woman’s race was amazing – over two hours hot competition and Barbara Riveros Diaz won by just a second. Breathtaking!
Layne Beachley:
I couldn’t agree more, Edwin. I don’t believe there is a finer location in the world than the spectacular backdrop with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge framing our beautiful Sydney Harbour. And meeting so many great triathletes like Emma Snowsill, Simon Whitfield and Lisa Norden made it even better.
The Sydney crowd were cheering the Australians home but we were just pipped at the post. But congratulations to Bevan Docherty, the men’s winner – he’s a Kiwi – and Barbara from Chile. It will be great to see Olympic gold medalist Emma Snowsill back in the field to give them all a run for their money.
Edwin:
Bevan said something I really empathised with – he said “winning in front of the Sydney Opera House is amazing.” And it was.
But for me, it wasn’t just about winners and losers, and enjoying a wonderful location, it was about sampling an exciting new boom sport. It was the perfect demonstration of why the Laureus tie-up with the International Triathlon Union as Global Charity Partner is so exciting.
Layne:
Absolutely. Triathlon is the world’s fastest growing outdoors sport in triathlon, so it’s wonderful to see Laureus partnering the ITU to help enhance and grow the Sport For Good Foundation.
Edwin:
During the northern summer, we will have Laureus teams of 25 competing in five world championship events – in Madrid, Hamburg, London, Kitzbuehel and Budapest – with each of the participants raising funds for the Laureus Foundation. Anyone reading this blog who is interested in taking part can find more details on this website. Laureus Triathlon Places
Layne:
Then on Monday Edwin and I went to a grassroots sports project in Sydney – the kind of project that the funds raised by the Laureus partnership with triathlon will help to support. The project showcased the partnership between Laureus and the Australian Sports Commission which showed just how much sport can make a difference to young kids. Laureus have operated in partnership with the Australian Sport Commission since 2000. They use sport there to engage the kids, to get them to come along to play sport, and then they can help them with other problems that they have.
Edwin:
Simon Whitfield, who won the very first Olympic triathlon in Sydney in 2000 was there with us, which got the kids really excited, and fellow triathletes Lisa Norden and Daniella Ryf also came along.
The project, implemented by the Australian Sports Commission operates at the basketball courts of the King George V Recreation Centre in the heart of Sydney, less than two kilometres from the Opera House.
The visit was the perfect end to an amazing few days for Layne and myself. In this short space of time, we have seen the breadth and scope of Laureus activity. We have announced a major new tie-up with triathlon, one of the fastest growing sports in the world which will give a significant boost to our charitable programme, we have applauded the athletes that took part in the world championship triathlon, and then we finished off with a very special moment with some of the young people who are benefiting from the positive power of sport. It was really unforgettable.
Go to this Website to find out more about Laureus and to this to find out about Triathlon events.
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