Memories of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games will come flooding back when the harbour city hosts a leg of Triathlon World Championship series next year, around the famous Opera House.

The President of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) John Coates said today he was thrilled Sydney had been selected as part of the eight-race global series.

Coates, along with the NSW Tourism Minister Jodi McKay, announced that the event will be staged on April 11, 2010, and will include the famous landmarks that formed part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic course.

Coates was a key supporter in securing Triathlon’s Olympic debut at the Sydney Games.

"We wanted to start the Games in spectacular fashion and the best way to achieve that was to stage the Women’s Triathlon on the first morning after the Opening Ceremony and include the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House,” he said.

Australia won its first medal with Michellie Jones capturing the silver medal.

"Next year we can relive those memories all over again” Coates said.

Nine years on and Australia’s Emma Moffat is now the reigning World Champion after a courageous win in the inaugural series decided on the Gold Coast on September 13.

The Olympic bronze medallist from Beijing attended today’s launch on the Opera House forecourt and said she was excited to be competing in Sydney.

“I’ve raced all over the world and mainly on the Gold Coast in Australia so it will be a thrill to compete in Sydney,” she said.

She didn’t see the first ever Olympic Triathlon event in 2000 because she was working that Saturday morning in her local supermarket.

”I was a checkout chic back then and looking after the groceries when the Triathlon was on,” she said.

Triathlon Australia and Events NSW have worked tirelessly to secure the event for Sydney. The deal was sealed recently following a visit to Sydney by Marisol Casado, President of the International Triathlon Union.

The race next April will include a transition area on the Sydney Opera House forecourt, the 1,500m swim will be in Farm Cove area of Sydney Harbour, while the 40km bike leg and 10km run will take place along city streets including Macquarie Street and the Cahill Expressway.

"As an athlete you can't ask for anything more," Moffat said.

"We’ll be racing in one of the most spectacular locations our sport has ever secured, against the best triathletes on the planet, in front of our home crowd.

"This year's new world championship series has taken the sport to another level and for Sydney to be involved in this on an annual basis provides both global recognition for the city and a magical experience for every Aussie athlete".

Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government is hoping to secure the event as an annual fixture for Sydney. The series includes such destinations as Washington, London, Hamburg, Madrid and Yokohama.

“Securing a leg of the series for Sydney is a real coup” McKay said.

AOC