World Triathlon President Marisol Casado insisted "we feel very inclusive as an organisation" ©World Triathlon

World Triathlon President Marisol Casado has highlighted the global governing body's aim of inclusivity prior to the Championship Finals here, pointing to the introduction of a Para triathlon mixed relay event.

The mixed relay format was introduced at the Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020, and World Triathlon has scheduled an event based on similar principles to its programme for the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Teams in the race are set to be composed of two men and two women.

They are limited to one athlete from the wheelchair and visually impaired classes, and for all other classes only one athlete per gender is permitted.

World Triathlon has encouraged National Federations to make "every effort" to form teams with athletes of the same nationalities, although combinations are allowed if required.

Teams also have the option to field three athletes, with one non-wheelchair class competitor completing two non-consecutive legs.

The Para triathlon mixed relay is scheduled for the final day of the Championship Finals on Saturday (November 26), and prior to the start of the event tomorrow, Spanish official Casado underlined the importance of inclusivity to World Triathlon.

The mixed team triathlon debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and World Triathlon hopes a similar format can be included at the Paralympics ©Getty Images
The mixed team triathlon debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and World Triathlon hopes a similar format can be included at the Paralympics ©Getty Images

"It's very important for us to open the door to different communities, to a different way of thinking, and this is something that for our sport is very important because we feel very inclusive as an organisation and as a sport," said Casado, who has been World Triathlon President since 2008 and an International Olympic Committee member since 2010.

"We hope we have competitions for everyone, for the people that really are the best athletes in the world to the person that does it for fun.

"I’m really happy that we are finally here in Abu Dhabi to stage the Championship Finals here.

"I have been President of World Triathlon since 2008, and during my mandate I had the opportunity to introduce Para triathlon in the Paralympic Games.

"We have also introduced the mixed team relay in the Olympic Games and now we are working to have the mixed relay in the Paralympic Games."

As well as the elite, under-23 and Para triathlon races, the Championship Finals features a series of age group events in the super-sprint distance, standard distance and aquabike disciplines.

Casado later officially opened the Championship Finals at an Opening Ceremony held at Yas Bay Waterfront, which featured a parade of the athletes from over 53 nations and short welcome speeches from the World Triathlon President and her United Arab Emirates Triathlon counterpart Khaled Al Fahim.