TransCanada Named Title Sponsor for 2014 World Triathlon Grand Final

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Feb. 28, 2014) - It's official - TransCanada is the title sponsor of the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Edmonton.

TransCanada officials, along with representatives from the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the City of Edmonton, and two-time Olympic medallist Simon Whitfield, joined forces today to make the announcement in Edmonton.

"TransCanada has been supporting sport, culture and economic growth across Alberta for over 60 years. We're proud to showcase this commitment as title sponsor for the World Triathlon Grand Final in Edmonton, which will bring international attention to this dynamic and diverse city," says Alex Pourbaix, President, Development, TransCanada. "We look forward to building on our relationships with groups like Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton to promote healthy lifestyles and leadership skills through this exciting event."

"We are pleased to share this exciting news with everyone today," says 2014 Triathlon Edmonton Board Chair, Don Lowry. "TransCanada as our title sponsor and the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton have stepped up and delivered to support this major event in a significant way. We thank them greatly for their support and confidence and look forward to working with them. We're bringing the world to Edmonton and this financial support will help us deliver a world class event that showcases the city, the province and especially the volunteers that make these events possible."

"Hosting international sport events like the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final offers an opportunity for our athletes to compete against some of the world's best, while bringing a welcome boost to the local economy," said Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "The Government of Canada is very proud to support Triathlon Canada for the hosting of this event. I want to convey my best wishes to our athletes as they continue their pursuit of excellence here at home."

"The Government of Alberta is proud to help support this world-class event. The ITU World Triathlon Grand Final is an opportunity to cheer these amazing athletes on, and showcase some of the tremendous culture and spirit in Edmonton to an international audience showing why Alberta is such an incredible place to live and visit," said Alberta Culture Minister Heather Klimchuk.

"Edmonton is excited about hosting the ITU Grand Final and our City team is working closely with the local organizers to make this the best event yet and live up to Edmonton's growing reputation as Canada's triathlon city," says Deputy Mayor Bryan Anderson, representing Don Iveson. "We are pleased that a partner such as TransCanada has come on board to join us in welcoming the world to our beautiful city in August."

TransCanada's financial commitment is $315,000. The City of Edmonton is contributing $2 million. The Government of Alberta is contributing $1 million through Alberta Culture, Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation, and Alberta Sport Connection. The Government of Canada is contributing $1.5 million through Sport Canada's Hosting Program.

As the final race on the ITU's 2014 World Triathlon Series calendar, the TransCanada Corp. World Triathlon Grand Final will attract more than 4,000 athletes, 6,000 accompanying visitors and a worldwide television audience of approximately 45 million in 160 countries. The week-long event will feature elite, age group, paratriathlon, aquathlon and junior championships as well as a parade of nations, opening and closing ceremonies and a lifestyle & sports EXPO. Edmonton last hosted the Triathlon World Championships in 2001.

With more than 60 years' experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and oil pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities. TransCanada believes in making a positive difference in the communities where it operates by being a good neighbour, a strategic community partner and an employer of choice. In 2013, the company distributed more than $11 million to non-profit organizations in Canada, the United States and Mexico. TransCanada operates one of North America's largest natural gas pipeline networks delivering 20 per cent of the natural gas consumed in North America every day. TransCanada owns or has an interest in 11,800 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the U.S. - enough to power approximately 12 million homes. The company's Keystone Pipeline System transports almost one-quarter of Canada's crude oil exports to the United States and has safely delivered more than 550 million barrels of oil since it began operation in 2010. TransCanada employs approximately 5,500 people, including more than 2,600 in Alberta, in 50 professions, trades and fields.