Pioneering Paratriathlon festival returns to Swansea

The Prince of Wales Dock and SA1 Waterfront will host a celebratory festival of swim, bike, run for first-time participants, developing athletes and elite racers as the World Triathlon Para Series Swansea opens up inclusive participation opportunities for people with disabilities.

Unique in its format, first time paratriathletes will have the opportunity to compete in the same arena as the world’s best, giving spectators the opportunity to support their friends and family alongside seasoned Paralympians and Paralympic hopefuls. The race village has been specifically designed so that spectators can sit in the heart of the action, being just metres away from the athletes on the course.

Accustomed to travelling the globe to compete in international events, Swansea is an extremely rare home event for Great Britain’s athletes; a team made up of Paralympic gold medallists and world champions, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Throughout the day, MCs and special guests will keep spectators up to speed on all the action, complemented by live footage and action replays on the big screen. Food, drink, and entertainment – including a live Samba band – will keep the energy levels high throughout the day in the stunning surroundings of the Prince of Wales Dock and SA1 Waterfront.

Great Britain’s Claire Cashmore, a five-time Paralympian, is relishing the opportunity to compete on home soil next month.

She said: “Having a world series on home soil is pretty fantastic. You can’t beat your family and your friends coming to watch and having that home crowd makes such a difference to your performance.

“Last year Swansea was shown in its true glory, especially after the reality of family not being able to come and watch in Tokyo.

“It made it even sweeter that they could actually be there on the finish line, particularly my nephews who have never seen me race before.”

Cashmore hopes this year will provide a huge boost to participation across the sport at all levels and hopes to build on last year’s successful foundations.

She added: “I can’t wait for it to be even bigger and better this year, to get more of a crowd and more para-athletes involved.

“Triathlon across the board is great because you’ll have events where you’ll get a 90-year-old competing against a 12-year-old and the elites that have been to the Olympics.

“I just really like that everybody is in that one arena and competing at the same event because it makes it much more accessible and a real community.”

This event plays an integral role in British Triathlon’s ‘Everyone Starts Somewhere’ campaign which aims to encourage disabled people to take part on 15 July in whatever ways they are most comfortable. The focus is to provide support and a safe environment for individuals to get involved and to achieve their goals, whatever those may be.