You will be missed Kate... Kate Allen's Emotional Goodbye

Kate Allen's Emotional Goodbye (July 8, 2009 )

On July 12, 2009, Austrian triathlete Kate Allen will compete in her final triathlon on home soil in Kitzbühel, the town where her career in the sport began thirteen years ago. The 2004 Athens Olympic champion is racing her final season on the elite circuit and is looking forward to taking part in the Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series event that will attract hundreds of competitors, thousands of spectators and world media attention to the Tyrolian town. “It’s really the most beautiful event on the international calendar,” said Allen, 39. “After the Olympics in Beijing I thought about retiring. I decided to carry on for a further year but this is already gradually coming to an end.” Kitzbühel Triathlon organiser Manfred Bachmannn says that for Allen, “the circle has been closed.” “Kate did her first ever swim, bike and run race in Kitzbühel. We are proud to be part of the new eight event series and to be able to offer Kate a fitting career send-off!” However, Allen is under no illusion about the quality of the new series. “It will be really hard since the competition between the women is getting tougher and tougher.” “I hope I can improve in the water at Kitzbühel,” the Australian-born athlete said. “I had a rather unexciting swim leg at the last series leg in Madrid.” Allen will be wearing a Suunto Comfort Belt and her heart-rate data will be used on live TV broadcasts and internet streaming via the ITU website to give viewers an insight in to what athletes go through during such races. In the men’s race on July 11, Javier Gomez and German stars Daniel Unger and Jan Frodeno will be wearing the Comfort Belt. GPS positioning data, made possible by Suunto, will also be used in the live broadcasts throughout both races.