The sport's world governing body will be taking up residence at the Maison du Sport International - a unique complex accommodating the headquarters of more than 20 international sports federations and organisations.

The new office, led by director Gergely Markus, will be well positioned to promote triathlon worldwide and strengthen the organisation by reinforcing ties with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and key sports associations, they claim.

The ITU's headquarters will remain in Vancouver, Canada.

Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC member, said: "The new office will be a significant stepping stone to the successful development of triathlon.

"Building relationships with the international sporting field in Lausanne is crucial in this era.

"The new facility will become ITU's base for listening and learning from the community, as well as a strategic point to deliver our messages."

Triathlon was awarded Olympic status in 1994 and made a sensational debut in Sydney 2000.

The ITU Team Triathlon World Championships were held in Lausanne last summer and will be contested again next year.

Established in 1989, ITU has more than 120 affiliated national federations around the world and is the youngest international federation in the Olympics.