The final trials will be held before the YOG next year and the fastest boy and girl will be selected to represent Singapore. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG
YOUNG Singapore triathletes aiming to to represent the country in the Youth Olympic Games team will get their first chance to make a go for it at the OSIM Singapore International Triathlon (OSIT) on the weekend of Aug 1 and 2.
As host, this year's OSIT trials at the East Coast Park will mark the first step in the selection process for the YOG athletes.
It will be conducted over the sprint distance of a 750-m swim, 20km bike route and a 5km run. The top five placings in each YOG Time Trial category - boys and girls - will be short-listed for the YOG. These 10 athletes will qualify to join the pre-YOG squad for training.
The Triathlon Association of Singapore (TAS) is one of the first National Sports Associations in Singapore to hold its trials for YOG selection.
The final trials will be held before the YOG next year and the fastest boy and girl will be selected to represent Singapore.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mr Teo Ser Luck, says that the selection trials will add a special dimension to what is already an exciting and popular national sporting event.
'I am happy to note that the Triathlon Association of Singapore will be using the OSIM Singapore International Triathlon 2009 as a platform to identify athletes in preparation for the YOG next year and in keeping the selection trial open to all aspiring young athletes. I hope the TAS will continue its good work and provide opportunities for more young athletes to participate in the sport of triathlon,' he said.
In addition to the first selection trials for YOG athletes, this year's OSIT will also feature the popular Corporate Triathlon event, as well as the mini and sprint triathlon categories, alongside the traditional Olympic distance race (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run).
TAS president Mark Tay expects this year's event to surpass last year's 3,500 participants.
'We've capped the number of participants at 3,800 this year due to safety considerations. We will also put in more mist fans and drink stations along the course and make the race experience even more enjoyable for participants,' Mr Tay said. 'We expect the buzz surrounding the YOG trials as well as the arrival of the top professional athletes to make this year's event well participated and supported by fans.'
Alan Tan, OSIM International's Head of Branding and Strategic Marketing, who is also a passionate triathlete says: 'This year, TAS having to put a cap on the number of participants' shows how much the event has grown over the years. OSIM is proud to have been associated with this event since 2002 and we hope to continue to grow the event to include more categories, for example, schools' national championships.'
Registration for OSIT kicked off on May 15 and is open till June 30. As of now, more than 1,600 have signed up for the event.
