As part of the Olympic Esports Week
taking place in Singapore from 23-25 June, Arena Games action hits the
spotlight once more as an Exhibition Event on the three-day programme of
virtual and simulated sports competition.
For the first time ever, Duathlon
will feature at the OEW, with the bike and run disciplines to be completed on
static trainers and self-powered treadmills, all connected to a virtual Zwift
world, the athletes competing in teams.
“Being able to feature as an
Exhibition Event at this year’s Olympic Esports Week is a historic moment for
our sport,” said World Triathlon President and IOC Member Marisol Casado, “and
one that builds on our hard work and collaboration with Super League in
creating a World Championships for the Arena Games competitions over the past
two seasons of our partnership. Singapore and the global Esports community is
about to get a taste of the fast and furious world of virtual multisports
racing, and we can’t wait to shape the future of the format further.”
Relay Format for Esports debut
Ten male and ten female Youth and
Junior athletes from nine countries will compete, split evenly across Team Asia
(CHN & JPN), Team Oceania (AUS & NZL), Team Europe (HUN & ITA),
Team North America (USA & MEX) and Team Singapore.
Each of the four stages will have a
standalone start, with the fourth being a pursuit start based on the
accumulated time differences of the previous stages’ results, leaving the first
over the line in the final stage the winners.
Junior Aquathlon World Champion
Marton Kropko represents Hungary having previously been involved in Arena Games
Triathlon action in both Sursee and London earlier this year.
Scott Latham, Team Australia coach
“The lead up to the Olympic Esports
Week in Singapore has been a whirlwind, as team selections were made with only
just over 2 weeks’ preparation time before the event. Coming from Australia and
NZ we are well into the colder months and athlete preparation for the 2023/2024
race season is at a very early stage. Changing gears from the normal longer,
low intensity training formats to build some high intensity short-paced and
explosive sessions were quickly made to prepare for what is going to be a very
high-intensity race format. A duathlon of 750m treadmill run, followed by a 6km
watt bike ride and another 750m treadmill run will create quite the spectacle
with teams of four competing against other international teams. This event will be a fantastic experience for
athletes and coaching staff, providing the opportunity to build connections with
other international athletes and trail a race format similar to that of the
Arena Games combined with a mixed relay.”
Wes Johnson, Team USA Coach
“The US athletes are very excited for
the opportunity to experience the Esports duathlon format. This is an
opportunity to prepare for a possible future in the Arena Games and every
chance an athlete can get to experience international racing and a new format
is always a positive for their development as triathletes. They have been
racing World Triathlon events all year long and the addition of this event was
an exciting surprise for them. They have been working on the run straight onto
the bike with top-end speed and off the bike as well. The main difference for
them will be learning how to do that on a self-propelled treadmill and a watt
bike. We are looking forward to the challenge and opportunity this experience
will bring!”
You can watch the racing live on the event’s official YouTube page on 25 June
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