The residents of Swansea and Gower turned out in their thousands to enjoy a spectacular weekend of sport.
People and organisations across the area were praised for taking two major new events to their hearts – and accepting some changes to daily life necessary to stage the activity safely.
Saturday’s Volvo 2022 World Triathlon Para Series event and the Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea attracted thousands of athletes and spectators and significantly boosted the local economy.
They were the culmination of a week of activity – including a Para Sport Festival – that inspired people to take part in and enjoy sport.
Organisers were IRONMAN and British Triathlon; key supporters included Swansea Council and Welsh Government.
Speaking ahead of the IRONMAN event in Swansea, Shane Williams said:
“I love IRONMAN Wales in Tenby, that’s where I used to spend a lot of my childhood holidays. But Swansea is a bit more special to me. I was born in Swansea, it’s on my doorstep. I have a lot of friends or ‘competitors’ against me on the weekend as well, so the rivalry is out.”
Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “It was an amazing week, topped off brilliantly by the weekend’s two world-class events.
“I thank all those who took part, arranged and supported the events – and thank all residents and businesses across Swansea and Gower for their patience and understanding as they made changes to their day-to-day lives.
“We do appreciate that road closures cause some disruption to normal daily routines – but they’re important to make such events as safe as possible for all involved and local residents.
“Bringing top class sport and other events to any location has its challenges but we’re determined to give the people of this area their biggest ever programme of major events.
“They give local people great things to see and do – and they boost the local economy in a substantial way.
“This truly was a big weekend of international sport and it shone a global spotlight on Swansea as a destination.”
The IRONMAN event alone is estimated to have brought £2.5m to the economy, with many accommodation providers doing excellent business along with many other businesses in the hospitality sector.
