The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) today announced the continued expansion of its PTO Tour, with the inaugural staging of the PTO Asian Open in Singapore on  19-20 August, 2023. 

In a multi-year partnership between the PTO, The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Sport Singapore, the PTO Asian Open will host the world’s top male and female professional triathletes around a specially  designed new course in the Marina Bay Financial District. 

Commenting on the news, Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, said: “When we were planning the first PTO Asian  Open, the opportunity to stage the event in Singapore and seeing the world’s best triathletes race around  the iconic Marina Bay was something that made sense on many levels. It is important that the PTO Tour  goes to different continents, different kinds of courses and different climates – that will enable us to see  who really is the greatest endurance athlete on the planet. Singapore will be a great destination as well  as a great race venue.”

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The first-ever PTO Asian Open will feature a women’s and men’s 100km race (2km swim; 80km bike; 18km  run) that will be broadcast live around the world to 170+ territories courtesy of the PTO Tour’s  partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery and a series of other regional and national broadcasters. 

Roy Teo, Chief of Industry Development, Technology & Innovation from Sport Singapore (SportSG) said:  “Singapore is proud to be hosting the PTO Asian Open where sporting fans can catch the region’s best  triathletes in action. The industry is excited to support the event organisers in staging the event and  creating a memorable experience for all local and international participants.” 

Commenting on the announcement, leading athletes were quick to give their thumbs up.  

“It was very exciting to have the opportunity to race in the first full professional tour,” said Australian PTO  World #3 Ashleigh Gentle, who was the stand-out women’s performer in the 2022 PTO Tour races, winning  the PTO Canadian and US Opens as well as being a clear winner of her individual Collins Cup match-up for  Team International. 

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“The athletes are hugely appreciative of the work the PTO has been doing to show off triathlon to the  world. There were some very successful events in 2022 that delivered on the PTO vision and also  signposted some of the opportunities going forward. Today’s news on the 2023 calendar shows that things  are moving in the right direction.” 

Alongside the Professional races, the PTO Asian Open will also offer exciting opportunities for amateur  triathletes and everyday sports enthusiasts to also get involved in this iconic event, thanks to a range of  age-group races over the weekend. This will include the unique chance for amateurs to compete over the  same 100km course as seen on the global broadcast of the world’s top ranked athletes. Further  information on the amateur events will be available next month, after the Chinese New Year Holiday, with  priority registration available on the PTO website.  

The Singapore Tourism Board’s Executive Director for Sports & Wellness, Ong Ling Lee, added: “We are  proud to host the inaugural PTO Asian Open, a timely addition to Singapore’s exciting calendar of events.  This adds buzz to our city and strengthens Singapore’s position as a leading destination for sports in the  region. As we look forward to welcoming the world’s top triathletes this August, we hope locals and  international visitors will also enjoy the mass participation opportunities and explore what Singapore has  to offer beyond the event.” 

The Professional Triathletes Organisation is a new sports body co-owned by the professional athletes,  seeking to elevate and grow the sport of triathlon and take it to the next level. Sam Renouf concluded by  saying:  

“Singapore has become famous for hosting world class events like the iconic F1 Night Race, the WTA Grand  Final and has also seen tremendous growth in endurance sports through the staging of the Standard 

Chartered Singapore Marathon. With this long term partnership with the PTO to create a ‘sporting major’  in the city, Singapore will become known as the premier destination for Triathlon in Asia.”