“Factors such as the centrality of the river, the cycling banks and the Parque Verde do Mondego were decisive in the choice”, of Coimbra as the host city according to Multisport, one of the organisers of the event.

Organised jointly by Multisport Portugal, Coimbra City Council, and the European Triathlon Union, this is the first time that the competition has been held in Portugal and will feature around 4,600 athletes of 40 different nationalities.

According to the organisation, the total investment is around 600 thousand euros, of which 180 thousand are the result of direct support from the municipality.

With the epicenter in Parque Verde do Mondego, where the sports city will be located, the race extends to other areas of the city, with several routes passing through emblematic areas.

“This aspect was, in fact, decisive for the choice of Coimbra by the international triathlon federation”, explains Multisport in a statement.

The impact on the city will be great, estimates the organisation, noting that between athletes, technical teams, volunteers (around 900), family members and companions, more than 20,000 people are expected in Coimbra.

“Normally, cross races take place outside urban environments. Here, we had a different approach, which also made us win the candidacy, which was to bring these events into the city and take advantage of all the strengths that Coimbra has, namely the fact that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site”, said the event director, Ricardo Lacerda, cited in the press release.

According to this person responsible for Multisport, the “cross competition will take place in iconic places such as the Botanical Garden, Quinta das Lágrimas, Mata Nacional do Choupal, Portugal dos Pequenitos, the Machado de Castro Museum”, so it will be “ unforgettable for athletes and spectators.”

“Coimbra is on the route to major international sporting competitions”, added Coimbra City Council councilor Carlos Matias Lopes, who considers it to be an opportunity for “social, cultural and economic dynamism for the entire Central region”.

In addition to the European competition, there will also be a National Individual Long Distance Triathlon Championship race and open races in various disciplines and distances. In these, the highlight goes to the Neon Night Swim, a night crossing of the Mondego, and the Summer Run on the last day, with 10 km races, a half-marathon, and a marathon.

The opening ceremony will take place on the 14th, at 6:00 pm, with the Parade of Nations, which will take place between Largo da Portagem and the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha and in which around 400 athletes will parade.