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\u201cI think triathlon is taking so many steps into the unknown lately, which is great to see, and this is just another evolution of that,\u201d says celebrated sports presenter Will McCloy as he makes plans to head from Australia to Nice in southern France to host the first edition of the Global Triathlon Awards.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cTo have World Triathlon, Super League and the PTO [Professional Triathletes Organisation] all together as event sponsors and to celebrate ALL of the great athletes under one roof is a big step forward for the sport.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, as soon as I heard about it I put my hand up. To be able to co-host alongside Paula Radcliffe is a big honour and I\u2019m really excited to be able to give the athletes the recognition they deserve.<\/p>\n \u201cThey put in so much work and a lot of that is very lonely work, so to be able to give them the chance to dress up and be honoured in the way that they should be is something I immediately wanted to be part of.\u201d<\/p>\n After the awards were launched under the banner of \u201cshowcasing the elite and uniting the industry\u201d in October, the 11 categories were open for public nominations from October to November, after which a five-strong judging panel including three-time Olympian Tim Don<\/strong><\/a> made the final decisions.<\/p>\n The GTAs are unique in bringing together most of the major organisations in the sport with the notable exception of Ironman, who declined to take part for 2023.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will evolve year-on-year, but I think we\u2019ll have a really enjoyable event to start 2023 in a positive mood as we look forward to a whole year of big performances from these athletes,\u201d McCloy adds.<\/p>\n While not part of the judging panel, he wasn\u2019t going to be drawn on who he expected to win the awards, although one name did jump out.<\/p>\n \u201cWho has ever done the things that Kristian [Blummenfelt<\/strong><\/a>] has done in this period?\u201d McCloy says. \u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s anyone else who has finished on the podium on debut in Kona, won Ironman 70.3 worlds, and competed in World Triathlon racing and achieved top 10s just a week or so after.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not withstanding what he achieved in [the Ironman World Championship in] St George, at Sub 7, and in Cozumel in 2021. If you did that in a career you\u2019d be considered one of the greats, so it\u2019s going to be hard to look past him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I think everyone who has been nominated, and not just the athletes, but every brand and those up for the lifetime kudos awards, are all worthy, and there are hundreds more who could be on that list as well. Everybody has their favourite performances from the yearI\u201d<\/p>\n The inaugural awards aim to bring all areas of professional triathlon together, from short course to long course, and athletes, organisers and brands to recognise the key achievements over the past 12 months. Partners in the awards include World Triathlon, Super League Triathlon and the Professional Triathletes Organisation.<\/p>\n They\u2019re being held at the Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la M\u00e9diterran\u00e9e on the Promenade des Anglais in southern France.<\/p>\n Friday, 20 January 2023<\/p>\n There are 11 awards including best male and female athlete and best rookie. Among the names nominated are Great Britain\u2019s Alex Yee<\/strong><\/a> and Georgia Taylor-Brown<\/strong><\/a>, who are up against the likes of Blummenfelt, Gustav Iden<\/strong><\/a>, Flora Duffy<\/strong><\/a> and Chelsea Sodaro<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\nQuick-fire Global Tri Awards FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What are the Global Triathlon Awards?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Where do the GTAs take place?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
When are they taking place?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Who is up for an award?<\/strong><\/h3>\n