Oakley Named Official Eyewear of International Triathlon Union

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) announced yesterday, March 1, that a sponsorship agreement has been signed with leading eyewear brand Oakley to become the Official Global Eyewear Sponsor of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series.

Oakley will be the seventh global partner of the world’s premier triathlon series, which has created major sponsorship and broadcast opportunities since launching in 2009. Last year 21,000 athletes competed in mass-participation races in front of 700,000 spectators and global television audiences in 149 countries. It is expected to attract higher numbers in 2011, helping Series sponsors and partners extend their reach to wider audiences.

Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member, stated: “With its product quality, Oakley has been favoured by many triathletes from elite to amateur competitors. The new partnership will earn big cheers from existing fans and attract new audiences through the exciting sport of triathlon.”

David Hyam, Oakley’s Sports Marketing Manager of Europe, Middle East and Asia, said: “Partnering up as Official Global Eyewear Sponsor of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series underlines our deliberate step in strengthening our position as being the most recognised and respected premium optical brand in performance eyewear.”

Paul Coleman, Managing Director of ITU World Championship Series, added: “Oakley is a global high profile brand that ITU is excited to develop successful partnerships with. Attracting Oakley as global partners of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championships Series is another clear statement that we are successfully establishing the series as a major sports platform.”