NEWS

2005 Cancun World Cup Cancelled

By World Triathlon Admin | 27 Oct, 2005

We regret to inform our national federation and elite athletes that the 2005 Cancun World Cup will not be rescheduled in 2005. 

Jaime Cadaval, International Liaison with the Mexican Triathlon Federation and ITU Technical Committee has been able to assess the damage and he reports on the tragic situation as follows: Thank you very much for your understanding and support.  Things in Cancun don’t look good.  As of yesterday the airport was still closed to commercial air traffic.  It was only functioning to evacuate the 30,000 tourists stranded in the area, and for humanitarian or military purposes. 

98% of the hotels were affected, many of them severely.  Some hotel chains will be closed for the remainder of the year.  Power services are not yet re established.  Drinking water is scarce.  The beaches are gone, restaurants, shopping centers, marinas, schools, hospitals are also severely damaged. 

It will take 3 or 4 months to get back on its feet. 

One million people live in the area, all of them depending on tourism, directly or indirectly.  Thousands will be unemployed. 

When tragedy strikes, public safety is compromised.  Losses are calculated in about 15 million dollars per day. 

The 2005 Cancun Triathlon and our 10th anniversary will definitely have to be cancelled.  We will be sending two trucks with humanitarian help and all of the age group entries (more than 750) will be donated to the cause.  Cancun has given us a lot in the past and its time we give back. 

I hope ITU and the international athletes will understand, and be back for the 2006 edition.  Hopefully we will be able to find a way to make Cancun a special event.  Best regards Jaime.

Dont worry Jaime well all be back in full force in 2006 and we will make it a special.