John Coates, the President of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), said he was thrilled Sydney had been selected as part of the eight-race global series, which was won this year by Britain's Alistair Brownlee and Australia's Emma Moffatt.
 

Coates, along with the New South Wales Tourism Minister Jodi McKay, announced that the event will be staged on April 11, 2010, and will include the famous landmarks that formed part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic course.
 

Coates was a key supporter in securing triathlon’s Olympic debut at the Sydney Games.
 

He said: "We wanted to start the Games in spectacular fashion and the best way to achieve that was to stage the women’s triathlon on the first morning after the Opening Ceremony and include the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House."
 

Australia won its first medal with Michellie Jones capturing the silver medal in a race won by Switzerland's Brigitte McMahon.

The men's race was won by Canada's Simon Whitfield (pictured).

Coates said: "Next year we can relive those memories all over again."
 

Moffatt, the Beijing Olympic bronze medallist, attended today’s launch on the Opera House forecourt and said she was excited to be competing in Sydney.
 

She said: “I’ve raced all over the world and mainly on the Gold Coast in Australia so it will be a thrill to compete in Sydney."
 

Moffatt did not see the first ever Olympic triathlon event in 2000 because she was working that Saturday morning in her local supermarket.

She said: ”I was a checkout chic back then and looking after the groceries when the triathlon was on."



The deal to bring the event to Sydney was sealed recently following a visit to Sydney by Marisol Casado, President of the International Triathlon Union.

Casado said: “Sydney is a truly incredible city which is very special to the history of our sport.

"Triathlon’s involvement within the Olympic Programme was imperative to the sport’s growth and prestige, and Sydney allowed us to showcase our dynamic multisport in a fantastic sporting arena with passionate supporters.

"It will be a great pleasure to return to the city next year.”
 

The race next April will include a transition area on the Sydney Opera House forecourt, the 1,500 metres swim will be in Farm Cove area of Sydney Harbour, while the 40 kilometres bike leg and 10km run will take place along city streets including Macquarie Street and the Cahill Expressway.

Moffatt said: "As an athlete you can't ask for anything more.
 

"We’ll be racing in one of the most spectacular locations our sport has ever secured, against the best triathletes on the planet, in front of our home crowd.
 

"This year's new World Championship series has taken the sport to another level and for Sydney to be involved in this on an annual basis provides both global recognition for the city and a magical experience for every Aussie athlete."
 

Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government is hoping to secure the event as an annual fixture for Sydney.

The series includes such destinations as Washington, London, Hamburg, Madrid and Yokohama.

McKay said: “Securing a leg of the series for Sydney is a real coup."

Paul Coleman, the managing director of the Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series, said: "Sydney is a spectacular edition to the 2010 calendar, it is a truly world class venue.

"Global TV audiences and enthusiastic Australian fans will now have a mouth-watering opportunity to watch the best triathletes in the world competing in the ultimate lifestyle sport in the ultimate lifestyle city.”
 

The ITU’s full 2010 race calendar will be announced in early October.