Posted at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, December 6, 2007
Honolulu loses Olympic triathlon trials to Alabama
Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The U.S. Olympic triathlon trials, set for April 19, will be held in Tuscaloosa instead of Honolulu, officials planning the competition announced today.USA Triathlon officials said funding for the race from the state of Hawaii was not available, requiring a search for a new host city.
Tuscaloosa was chosen because of its success in holding USAT Collegiate Nationals earlier this year. The course also matches that of the Olympic Games course in Beijing.
"The course more than meets our needs on the performance and competition side," USAT Sport Performance Director Scott Schnitzspahn said in a statement.
USAT officials were also pleased with the enthusiasm expressed by local officials and the University of Alabama.
The Olympic trials will be the second event in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team selection process that will field the three American men and three women who will represent the U.S. in Beijing in August.
The top American woman and top American man at Tuscaloosa will each secure spots on the team.
