World Triathlon has shared a statement surrounding the news that the PTO Tour European Open would be awarding a “European Champion” title in Ibiza next year.

The PTO, which revealed earlier this week that the PTO Tour European Open would be returning to Ibiza in 2024, jumped the gun on a deal that is yet to have been finalised.

World Triathlon, which said the designation of a European Championship title at the event is ongoing, says it has reached out to the PTO to resolve the matter.

Mixed signals from PTO and World Triathlon

Given that the PTO and World Triathlon announced earlier in the season their collaboration on the launch of an official World Championship Tour of Long Distance Triathlon, the statement by World Triathlon came as a surprise.

Reaffirming its position, the governing body said whilst they have an existing deal with the PTO on the World Championship Tour in place, they are yet to sort out the details surrounding Continental Championships as of yet.

“World Triathlon would like to express that, as was mentioned last August in the agreement signed with the Professional Triathletes Organization (PTO), we have agreed to launch the official World Championship Tour of long-distance triathlon that will award the World Champion title.

“In regards to the Continental Championships, the negotiations are still to be finalized and we hope to reach an agreement in the coming weeks, therefore no European Championship title should be awarded by PTO at this stage. We are in communication with the PTO to clarify this.”