BEVERAGES giant company Coca-Cola has reiterated their support for Triathlon ahead of today’s Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon Union Cup at Troutbeck.
The 14th edition of the swim, bike, run continental event promises to be one to remember owing to the stiff competition that lies ahead between participants gunning for the 2024 Paris Olympic qualification points.
In addition, the keenly contested third edition of the ATU Junior Triathlon African Cup will be staged at the same venue. Zimbabwe will host Junior Elite athletes from Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritius, Namibia, and South Africa.
Apart from local athletes, an international field of elite men and women has registered to compete in the ATU from Germany, Mauritius, Luxembourg, Ireland, and the Czech Republic.
Coca-Cola Zimbabwe Frontline Marketing Portfolio Activation Manager Faith Nehanda said they are in Triathlon for a long haul.
“As the Coca-Cola Company and our bottling partner, Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited, we are pleased to sponsor this event which has been of great value to the country and the athletes,” said Nehanda.
“Triathlon has been a good model when it comes to promoting sports tourism. In particular, we are delighted by the number of participants this year. We want to thank other corporates who also sponsor the Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon Union, such as Toyota, Bon Marche`, Cimas and Rooney’s.
“It is through such mutual interests and commitment to plough back to the society that together we can develop our sports.”
Apart from the elite and junior races, other supporting events today include an African Cross-Triathlon (Off-Road) Championship, Schweppes Corporate Triathlon Challenge, Zimbabwe Triathlon Championships over several events, Tri-Kidz and Trisports triathlon, Aquathlon (run-swim-run) and an Open Water Swim, all under the banner of the Bonaqua Troutbeck Multisport Festival.
“We shall continue to play our role of supporting sports initiatives. The high number of Zimbabwe junior triathletes is an indication that the future of Triathlon sport is bright. Some of them recently won medals in South Africa,” added Nehanda.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Bonaqua still water as the official title sponsor, although Coca-Cola has been previously involved with the sport with Schweppes water. Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited bottles Bonaqua Water.
Globally, Coca-Cola also sponsors the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.
The Bonaqua Troutbeck ATU is sanctioned by the International Triathlon Union. It is a world ranking points for elite athletes within the ITU ranking system. This means that the points scored by elite athletes will ultimately become Olympic Ranking Qualification points for Paris 2024.
Troutbeck is well known as one of the world’s best resorts for sports tourism due to the availability of safe, clean, disease-free water and good roads within a perfect terrain and a friendly climatic environment.
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, the portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Costa coffee, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, PowerAde sports drinks, Simply juices, SmartWater, Sprite, Vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water.
Coca-Cola is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.
