Thousands of triathlon athletes from Europe, their families and supporters, are expected to converge on the resort city of Eilat on the Red Sea – Israel’s southernmost resort – for the 2012 European Triathlon Championships that will take place 19-22 April 2012.

For the last 25 years, Eilat has hosted various triathlon events related to the European Cup and World Cup, with over 1700 triathlon athletes competing in 2010, but this is the first time that the city has been selected to host the European Triathlon Championships.  

About 300 elite athletes and close to 4000 age group athletes from all over Europe are expected to compete in the championships in Eilat.  With representatives from all national federations and international governing bodies together with family members and support teams escorting the competing triathletes, some 10,000 visitors are expected in Eilat for the sporting event.

Sponsors for the international event include the Tourism Ministry, EL AL Israel Airlines which will fly competitors’ bicycles to the event at no extra charge, the city of Eilat and the Isrotel Hotel chain.