The triathlon half-distance World Championships will be held in Lahti on August 26-27. The visit of thousands of athletes with their support groups and families brings with it many surprising things to consider.
A total of more than 20,000 athletes and race tourists from more than a hundred countries are expected for the Ironman competitions held in Lahti in August. According to the organizers, more than 6,000 athletes arrive for the half-distance World Championships in triathlon. Often, the athletes are accompanied by support teams and family.
The organizers have tried to help local businesses take into account the special needs of triathlon athletes. For example, the sale of bananas next August may surprise an uninitiated trader.
Thousands of people traveling with valuable bicycles need more train services. Not everyone can find a place to stay in the immediate vicinity of the competition venue either. People from Päijäthämä have been encouraged to rent home accommodation through Airbnb. The organizers anticipate that some will stay in the capital region.
The people of Talkoo put in a lot of work
– If a competitor wants the glasses to be transported from the starting point of the swim to the finish area of \u200b\u200bthe swim, someone there will do it, says Boman.
This year, the World Championship status of the competition brings additional work compared to the Ironman qualifying competitions organized in Lahti in previous years.
– The World Championship standard includes, among other things, that we have people who assist in taking off the wetsuit, Boman says.