Sports Reporter

THE 2020 edition of the Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon Union (ATU) Sprint Triathlon African Cup was successfully launched on Tuesday at a colourful ceremony in Harare.

This year’s edition is expected to attract athletes from around the globe as it presents triathletes a chance to earn Olympic qualification points and improve individual rankings. 

So far athletes from Ukraine, Russia, South Africa and Brazil have confirmed their participation at the prestigious event.

This year’s event is scheduled for February 5 in Troutbeck, Nyanga.

All eyes will be on Zimbabwe’s star Laurelle Brown who will participate in the elite women’s category for the first time. 

Since 2006, Brown has been participating in the event in the junior level.

Speaking at the launch, Brown said she wants to gauge how competitive she is in the sport.

“I would like to see how I fare with the world and see how competitive I can be,” she said.

Brown last took part in the sport in 2015 before taking a sabbatical studying in the United Kingdom.

Coca-Cola marketing manager Zwelithini Ncube, expressed gratitude for the support they were getting from organisers and other sponsors to make the event a success.

“We gather here today with all our partners Bon Marche, Cimas, Rooney’s and organisers to officially launch the 2020 Bonaqua ATU and this is an important day as we come down to what promises to be another Bonaqua ATU in Inyanga.

“As the Coca-Cola Company, you know as we thrive to refresh the world in the African spirit, we are pleased with the association and partnership we have with Triathlon Zimbabwe support you give to the sport and many of our initiatives,” he said.

This year marks five years since Bonaqua came on board in the sponsorship of the annual event. Bon Marche, Cimas and Rooney’s are the corporates partnering Bonaqua in the event.

Last year’s event was dominated by Germans as Justus Nieschlag and Nina Eim in the men’s and women’s category respectively.