triAthlone chief hails crowds and atmosphere generated by event

"We started the triAthlone four years ago, and if, at that stage, I had travelled forward in time to see the atmosphere and the crowds we had on the streets of Athlone last Saturday I don't think I ever would have believed it was possible." That was the reaction of triAthlone CEO Liam Heavin to last weekend's event which saw 2,500 participants converge on the town for the swimming, cycling and running challenge. The website of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) said this week that the atmosphere at the Athlone event was only rivalled in the sport by the long-established Hamburg triathlon. "Personally I've been all over the world attending these events and, for atmosphere, I've only ever seen one triathlon to rival what we had in Athlone last weekend," Mr Heavin told the Westmeath Independent. "That one event was the world championships in Hamburg in 2007, when there was a German winner and the place went crazy. The feedback we've been getting from participants and people who have been involved in the sport for years is that there has been very few occasions to match last weekend. "The crowds on Grace Road from about 10.30 onwards on Saturday were just incredible," he said. "The ITU is saying that our event is now only rivalled by Hamburg, so we must be doing something right." Mr Heavin stated the initial feedback he's received from traders in the town to last weekend's event has been positive. "Obviously the hotels, bars and restaurants have done particularly well. I'm sure there will be some negative stories, but the feedback from the people I've spoken to has been positive," he said. Prior to the event, Athlone Chamber of Commerce estimated that this year's triAthlone would generate €3.5m for the local economy and Mr Heavin said that anyone who saw the crowds in the town on Saturday would agree that this was an accurate estimate. Next year the figure will be even bigger. The European Triathlon Championships come to Athlone in 2010 and, as a result, the number of participants will increase significantly. "We had initially hoped to double the number we had this year," Mr Heavin said. "Now, with the economic downturn, we don't expect that will be possible, but we still think we will have somewhere between 4,000 and 4,500 people taking part next year." In the wake of what she described as a "terrific weekend," local Deputy Mary O'Rourke extended her congratulations and plaudits to the CEO of Triathlone, Liam Heavin and his voluntary committee for their superb organisation of the massive event, which attracted thousands of visitors and participants to the town. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week, Deputy O'Rourke commented that the event was a spectacular success. "It was just wonderful to watch the whole spectacle, especially the swimming in the cold Shannon." "It's amazing what was done. Although it's a full voluntary committee they are very professional in everything they do. Every single item is well looked after and the publicity for Athlone was amazing in Ireland and wordwide," added the Fianna Fáil Deputy who was presenting floral tributes to the winners over the weekend. She concluded: "Well done to everyone and it augurs very well for Athlone as the town is due to host the European event in 2010".