Triathlon Victoria members are keen to get back to racing. That’s the general consensus after more than 500 individuals completed the association’s return to racing survey.
In conjunction with event stakeholders, an extensive analysis of participants was undertaken to understand attitudes and general preparedness to return to racing following Coronavirus.
The insights, which will be used to guide the sport’s resumption in Victoria alongside State Government regulations and Triathlon Australia’s Smart Racing (COVID-19) Guidelines, showed positive signs for triathlon in Victoria and a return to racing.
Of those surveyed, 95% of athletes intend to race this season, with 84% of those feeling comfortable in returning to racing by October 2020 guided by the Government’s approval of mass gatherings when choosing their first event of the season.
The data provides confidence to event directors and organisers as they grapple with a new event landscape as a result of Coronavirus and modifications required to ensure the health and safety of patrons in line with government protocols.
Athletes are expecting, and are supportive of, logistical changes, with social distancing, temperature checks, number capping, sanitisation and modified starts the top-5 areas identified by athletes as essential needs to feel safe at events.
Last month IRONMAN released their Safe Return to Racing Guidelines, which included a fantastic education video for racegoers that highlighted what to expect at their next race. The guidelines were designed around reducing total touchpoints and interactions by as much as 90%.
Athletes were also accepting of a reduced village atmosphere for early season races, with the majority saying this would not affect their desire to race.
Triathlon Victoria appreciates and recognise the support of our triathlon participants in providing their responses and especially the many specific comments and suggested mitigations.
Triathlon Victoria continues to work closely with event directors and organisers to support and guide them during this time to deliver another season of multisport. Like you, we also want to get back to racing.
