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Motivational world class athletes who are wearing the colours of Bahrain in international competition will be flying into the kingdom later this year in a bid to further inspire young people to take up the challenge of sport and fight the scourge of teenage obesity.
The Bahrain Endurance 13 Elite Team is the brainchild of Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Charity and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) president.
As the island prepares to host two major events later this year, namely Challenge Bahrain and Ironman Bahrain 70.3, the country’s name will be heard in lands far from home too.
The sporting royal recruited two-time Ironman world champion Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack as the team’s managing director. The Australian father-of-three told GulfWeekly: “These are 13 of the world’s best triathletes who believe in His Highness’ vision and are global ambassadors for this new way of thinking.
“All these athletes will spend a portion of their year in Bahrain but more than anything they are there for a purpose of grassroots youth development. They are not just coming to Bahrain to race. They come to educate and empower.
“The athletes will make themselves available and we hope to do this all over the GCC.
“Sport for entertainment is fantastic but sport that encourages participation can change lives and that is exactly what triathlon, in particular, represents.
“These are the ‘best of the best’. Never in the history of the sport have so many of the world’s top athletes raced under the same umbrella.”
Shaikh Nasser has made his mark too as captain and recently took an impressive seventh place in the Carins Ironman Challenge in Australia which involved swimming for 3.8km, a cycle race for 190km and a 42.5km run.
And the biggest names in the sport will continue to echo across the sporting world and into the minds of youngsters living in the kingdom. The elite squad of champions have notched 11 victories between them, one third place, two fourth, one fifth, three seventh, two eighth, one ninth and one 18th.
The team features American Benjamin Hoffman, Canadian Brent McMahon, Australians Caroline Steffen, Samuel Luke Appleton and Luke Bell, Swiss Daniela Ryf and Francisco Javier Gomez Noya, South African James Cunnama, German Jan Frodeno, Britons Jodie Ann Swallow and Joseph Coyne ‘Joe’ Gambles, New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone and German Sebastian Kienle.
McCormack believes the fabulous 13 can be used as ‘an amazing marketing tool’ especially when these Bahrain-branded athletes find success on every continent and in communities all over the world, talking openly about the vision.
“This is a historic moment in endurance sport and this team will be always remembered,” he believes. “By winning championships and major events around the globe in a sport that is currently the fastest growing in the world we can grow the brand Bahrain Endurance and give a greater platform to discuss health and wellness and the role sport plays in this.
“Shaikh Nasser was looking for athletes who speak well, believe in his vision for change through sport and sporting leadership that are not always items at the forefront of TV news.
“These are not sports for entertainment first. They are sports for play. He wanted to start with athletes who could lead and help share their journey yet represent his country and his vision admirably and act as true ambassadors.”
“The World Health Organisation clearly states that aerobic activity of an endurance base for periods up to 45 minutes per day, will increase life expectancy, rescue exposure to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and eliminate obesity. Worryingly, Gulf countries rank poorly in recent global health studies focusing on these conditions.
“The longer the team and the vision are in play the greater the value of this team will be. The key is participation and providing role models to the youth who show what participation in sport can give to your life.
“If we change behaviour and encourage youngsters to engage sport as a way of life, the better long-term benefits there will be regarding health and wellness.”
Aside from pushing the vision for healthier living, the athletes will assist in preparing a new batch of sportsmen and sportswomen in the kingdom through mentorship programmes.
McCormack explained: “It was important that these athletes would provide their time and some of their income to support the next group of champions and every member of the Bahrain Endurance 13 gives up some of their money and time to support as well as mentor the next layer of athletes that exists just under them.
“These athletes will all come to Bahrain and the region to work with kids.”
His business partner Michael Gilliam, who has helped coach the Bahrain National Team is currently an advisor to the Bahrain Olympic Committee creating performance programmes for local athletes.
Gilliam now lives full time in Bahrain and McCormack will be joining him in the region in the near future.
This weekend Kienle, Frodeno, Ryf and Steffen will be racing in Ironman Frankfurt.
For more details, visit www.BahrainEndurance13.com or email info@bahrainendurance13.com
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The kingdom will end the year by playing host to two top international endurance competitions.
On November 20, the world’s leading triathletes will be participating in Challenge Bahrain 2015.
It is being billed as the world’s largest half distance, fast-flat course night triathlon.
Challenge Bahrain 2015 follows last year’s successful inaugural day-time event and will include swimming, cycling and running. Two of the Bahrain Endurance 13 Elite team members – Daniela Ryf and Terenzo Bozzone – will be hoping to be in the running for a massive pay day.
Challenge Dubai, Challenge Bahrain and the newly-revealed Challenge Oman will form the Triple Crown Series. Challenge Dubai and Challenge Oman will each have a significant prize purse while Challenge Bahrain will feature a Triple Crown $500,000 Grand Final.
The exact Challenge Bahrain course will be unveiled shortly, although registration has started. To take part, visit www.challenge-bahrain.com
Just a few days later, on December 5, the kingdom will stage the Middle East’s first Ironman 70.3 championship.
Ironman Bahrain 70.3 aims to deliver one of the best triathlons in the distance through a carefully-designed swim, bike and run course.
Its swimming stage will take place close to Muharraq, the cycle section will take riders through the city, past Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, Bahrain Financial Harbour and Bahrain International Circuit. The run will take place on a course through Al Areen Wildlife Park before returning to the F1 track.
For further details, contact bahrain70.3@ironman.com
