Wednesday 20 / November / 2024
Muscat: The Sultanate’s position on Global sports tourism map has been boosted after the successful organisation of the Ironman Championship, Haitham bin Mohammed Al Ghassani, assistant director general for Tourism Promotion of Activities and Tourism Awareness, said.
The Ironman track included 1.9 km of swimming, a 90 km bike ride and 21.1 km running. Al Ghassani said that the Tourism Ministry carefully selected the route to promote major tourism attractions of the Muscat governorate.
"The race will also be broadcast on world television channels which will boost tourism,” he said.
He also said that the championship began with its first stage from swimming in the Qurum beach, which was an opportunity to showcase beauty of Omani beaches and its unique experience for those who love swimming, diving and snorkelling.
The cycling race, which was the second stage, started from the parking area behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and passed through important tourist attractions in Muscat governorate.
The contestants completed the second phase of the race on the Qurum Bridge and then moved to the Muscat Gate. During this phase, contestants passed through many heritage and tourist attractions such as the sea road of Muttrah, Muttrah Souq and Muttrah Fort.
Al Ghassani said that the third and final stage of the championship started at the Royal Opera House.
The third stage included running on 21.1 km track along Marine road at the end of the Al Qurum beach reaching to the Qurum Natural Park.
The race had around one thousand professional athletes participating from 54 countries, including many competitors from the GCC and other Arab countries.
The Ministry of Tourism had also organised a number of programs and activities that were held on the side-lines of the championship.
"Sport tourism is one of the most important tourism products which effectively help in revitalisation of the tourism movement, both domestically and from abroad," the Ministry of Tourism said.
