Posted: July 23, 2007

Triathlon: Island Triathlon Series Attracts International Celebrities and Broadcast Rights in over 85 Countries

Toronto, ON – July 19, 2007 – As the Island Triathlon Series Ltd. counts down to less than six months of its start date, the excitement is buzzing through the sporting world with news of its tremendous worldwide television placement for its destination event to be held on December 1, 2007, on the Turks and Caicos Islands of Providenciales. Professional athletes and celebrities from across the globe are riding the wave, as well, to be a part of this international athletic event. Hala Bissada, President and CEO of Hala, Inc. remarked, “This triathlon series has always been designed to be more than a race. Now, with our global television commitments and celebrity involvement, it is a worldwide experience that can be shared with athletes and non-athletes alike.” The confirmed broadcasts agreements are with Versus of USA, The Sports Network (TSN) of Canada, Resort Sports Network (RSN) of the USA, Altitude Sports & Entertainment (Altitude TV) of the USA, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) of the USA, Fox Sports Middle East, including the Middle East Region and the African Continent, Solar Sports of the Philippines, PCCW of Hong Kong, Big Picture Entertainment of Europe, and America One, reaching 85 countries and over 166 million viewers. The Island Triathlon Series is also thrilled to announce the participation of internationally renowned recording artist Chantal Kreviazuk and seven-time WWE Woman’s Champion Trish Stratus. Ms. Stratus will participate in the celebrity relay, supporting the ITS’ signature fundraising initiative, Tri4Dignity™ benefiting global humanitarian AIDS organization Dignitas International. Ms. Kreviazuk will be headlining the post-race party on Saturday, December 1, 2007. The event will be hosted at The Alexandra Resort; those in attendance will include celebrities, government dignitaries, all ITS participants, including professional athletes from around the world. “Never done outside the World Championships, the ITS has managed to assemble one of the most impressive rosters of professional athletes in the sport of triathlon, and that’s a conservative understatement,” states Hala Bissada. The ITS power-house ensemble includes the likes of Ironman champions Rutger Beke, Lisa Bentley, Joanna Lawn, Chris Lieto, Chris McCormack, and Marino Vanhoenacker. Also topping the list are three-time Xterra World Champion Melanie McQuaid, US World Champion Matt Reed and Top World Championship finishers Desiree Ficker and Kim Loeffler. This is the first time a triathlon event has come to the Island of Turks & Caicos. Welcomed and endorsed by the Premier’s Office, Tourism Board, local hoteliers and excursion companies, the ITS has already taken the island by storm. ITS is planning to expand its series to other island destinations, adding a new island each year over the next 3-4 years, culminating with its own World Championships in 2010. For more information about the event or to register as a participant, become a volunteer or to make a donation, please visit www.islandtriathlonseries.com. The Island Triathlon Series™ Set to take place on December 1, 2007, the Island Triathlon Series™ is an original distance triathlon featuring the Island Eighty™ - a 1-mile swim, 66-mile bike and 13-mile run set against a picturesque backdrop of the Providenciales, Turks & Caicos landscape. ITS is planning to expand its series to other island destinations, adding a new island each year over the next 3-4 years, culminating with its own World Championship in 2010. For more information about the race, to register or to volunteer, please visit: www.islandtriathlonseries.com. TRI4Dignity™ TRI4Dignity is the signature fundraising campaign for Island Triathlon Series™. This initiative gives athletes an opportunity to achieve a personal goal, raise money and awareness for Dignitas International-- a global, medical, humanitarian organization focused on HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, while off-setting their travel costs. For more information, please visit www.islandtriathlonseries.com. Dignitas International Dignitas International is a global pioneering medical and humanitarian organization harnessing the power of community to fight AIDS and to dramatically increase access to life-saving treatment and prevention in areas overwhelmed by the pandemic. Dignitas International is saving lives with a groundbreaking, sustainable community-based care model to be replicated throughout the developing world. The organization was co-founded by Dr. James Orbinski, former International President of Doctors without Boarders—he accepted the Nobel Peace prize on behalf of the organization in 1999. Further information is available at www.dignitasinternational.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest