This report came in from Graeme Kempson.

Les McDonald, the ITU President, accompanied by Loreen Barnett, the ITU Technical Ace, flew to Britain for a rare visit covering several days during January.

Part of their agenda for the visit to Britain was to meet with the hierarchy of the Commonwealth Games Organisation and the cities of Manchester and Salford. This was to ensure that the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games Race matches the standard that the international elite racers have come to expect. Oh, it will also have to be a great live and TV spectacle as well!

During their visit they were pleased to be invited to inspect the progress on the Lowry Centre, which is expected to open in the spring. Hard hats, wellies and fluorescent jackets were the order of they day.

A day of discussions were held, which included officials of the BTA and Human Race (the Race Directors) over a suitable course that will showcase both the cities of Manchester and Salford. So impressive is the Lowry Centre and its surrounds, that the ITU and the BTA expect it to be the focus of the race, including the transition area.

The city of Salford has endorsed its support for the Triathlon family by recently appointing a Triathlon Development Officer. Such is how the gospel is spread. Were it that all our cities were so dynamic. The ITU and the BTA would like to thank all officials for the welcome we received as well as the opportunity to see part of the renaissance of such wonderful British heritage cities.

BTA officials took the opportunity of Les McDonald's stay in Britain to lobby for British interests in the international arena; a major part of which is to bring the World Championships to Britain at an early date, as well as regular World Cups and ITU Points races. The official view is that if appropriate sponsorship is found and the BTA can continue to enjoy the confidence of the city officials, then Manchester and Salford could be the venue of an ITU World Cup annually from 2003 onwards.