City sport spectacular set to attract thousands of new visitors

Lots of friends and work colleagues from Freedom Leisure with also be in the crowds.

Three close relatives will be visiting the city from Carmarthenshire, two from England's South East, and two from the local Swansea area. They'll all spend the day in the city, enjoying breakfast in a local café and lunch in a city restaurant.

Nic's story illustrates how the nearly 2,000 athletes competing in the gruelling sports challenge will bring a timely boost to the local economy of Swansea and Gower.

Organisers estimate the event will bring an economic boost upward of £2.5m to the region, as tens of thousands of athletes, supporters, volunteers and staff travel to the Swansea area for the race weekend.

Nic, area manager for not-for-profit Freedom Leisure that runs council leisure facilities for the people of Swansea, said: "It'll be great to have my family around to be among the thousands of supporters around the course - and they'll be spending money with Swansea businesses.

"There'll always be some businesses that have to adapt and the Freedom-run LC Swansea is one of them. We'll adapt and stay open for all to visit; other businesses will hopefully embrace the event as we will - and will see even more benefits in the coming years. On balance the people of Swansea will be big winners in this."

The field of athletes in Swansea will include triathlon debutant Dave Lanham, who's in charge of maintenance at Freedom Leisure's Swansea venues. Freedom operations director Jeremy Rowe - once general manager of LC predecessor Swansea Leisure Centre - will also compete. Freedom regional manager Lee Thomas, a Swansea boy now living in Worcester, will take part as will Freedom chief executive officer Ivan Horsfall Turner.

Between them the Freedom five expect to attract more than 40 supporters.

Ivan Horsfall Turner said: "I'm looking forward to tackling the course with the support of family, friends and colleagues - and seeing the long-term impact it will have on inspiring our local communities to be active".

Swansea's first IRONMAN 70.3 triathlonis due to be held on Sunday, August 7 - boosting the local economy and bringing international attention to the region.

Swansea Council is supporting the event, along with the Volvo 2022 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea planned for August 6.

The council made a series of policy commitments in June to deliver support - in the subsequent 100 days - to communities that will make a real difference to people's lives. Delivering a biggest ever events programme was one of those commitments.

The events of August 6 and 7 will mean short-term temporary road arrangements across the city and on Gower. Leaflets, including route maps and road closure schedules, have been mailed to affected local householders by organisers, who have also contacted local businesses and organisations.

Event organisers are happy to discuss how they accommodate the needs of local people and businesses. Residents, visitors and businesses with queries about arrangements such as road changes can email swansea@britishtriathlon.org and swansea70.3@ironmanroadaccess.com.

More: www.bit.ly/WTPSswansea & www.ironman.com/im703-swansea

Photo: Nic Beggs

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