Wollongong turned on perfect conditions for the World Triathlon Championship Finals opening ceremony, with the New South Wales south coast city’s picturesque harbour awash with colour, sound and patriotism. 

Nearly 5,000 athletes from across the globe will compete over the next four days in what organisers say is the biggest annual multi-sport event in the world. 

“It’s a bit like the Olympics,” World Triathlon Championship general manager Mark Emerton said. 

“Each country picked a flag bearer, with a sign for the country.”Smiling women in sports gear wrap themselves in the American flag while standing on a headland.

Athletes on their way to the opening night procession of the 2025 World Triathlon Championships. (ABC Illawarra: Sarah Moss)

Australia will field the largest team, comprising 1,500 competitors aged between 18 and 85, including 13 para triathletes. 

The US, UK and New Zealand follow close behind, with a Fijian trio the event’s smallest squad. 

About 800 local volunteers have also signed on.

“We’ve got one of the biggest races and richest prizes in the world here in Wollongong this week, which is goddamn exciting,” Mr Emerton said.Back-to-back action 

The first round of races begins on Thursday with the under-23 men’s and women’s events, followed by junior men and women’s races on Friday and all para-triathlete events on Saturday. 

Swimmers surrounded by brightly coloured buoys and boats in the ocean.

Hundreds of Australian athletes gave their all in Wollongong during April’s qualifying event. (ABC Illawarra: Brooke Chandler)

“We have a community-run event that night called the Rock and Run which is a 2-kilometre or 5km lap around the lighthouse,” Mr Emerton said. 

The professional competitors will take to the course on Sunday. 

“They’ll be competing for $500,000 in prize money,” Mr Emerton said.  

“They are the ones who will be knocking on the door to represent their country at the next Olympics.”Vying for the podium

Wollongong will be the fourth world championship final for para-triathlete Anu Francis, a year after she made her Paralympic debut in Paris. 

A smiling woman on crutches wears swimming gear as she stands in front of an outdoor pool.

Anu Francis won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. (Supplied: Anu Francis)

The 30-year-old Adelaide local, who has a genetic connective tissue disorder known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, will compete using a modified bike and crutches. 

“The last couple of months have been the most consistent I’ve ever trained, like the most volume I’ve ever handled,” she said.

“The body is feeling amazing.” 

Women’s world number four Jeanne Lehair from Luxembourg said she was keen to take on Wollongong’s difficult course. 

A smiling, dark-haired woman in a cap stands at the entrance of what appears to be a public pool.

Jeanne Lehair is in Australia for the first time. (ABC Illawarra: Brooke Chandler)

“Usually when it’s flat we are bored,” she said. 

“So I think it’s good for the race because it’s a bit more challenging. 

“The only thing is I prefer a lake swim than ocean and I don’t really like beach starts.” 

A smiling, dark-haired man stands with a bicycle near a forest.

Luke Willian says he knows the Wollongong course well after winning the 2024 World Triathlon Cup in the city. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Dean Caton)

Australia’s number two Luke Willian, 29, said he was excited to compete on home soil, surrounded by family. 

“I remember watching Emma Moffatt win the World Championship in 2009 as a 13-year-old kid and that gave me heaps of motivation … to do that one day,” he said. 

“I am really fortunate I get to live out that dream.”Why Wollongong? 

Australia has not hosted the World Triathlon Championship Finals since 2018, when the event was run on the Gold Coast. 

Mr Emerton said Wollongong was the perfect location due to its rough terrain, proximity to Sydney International Airport, and experience hosting the UCI Road World Championships in 2022. 

cyclists riding

The UCI Road World Championships exposed Wollongong to a global audience. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)

“We’ve got a nice harbour to swim in, we’ve got a nice bike course to ride along the coastline,” he said.

“I’m a bit biased but we went to Spain [for the World Triathlon Championship Finals] last year, their course is nowhere near as nice as Wollongong’s.”  

Some marina businesses have raised concerns about potential revenue loss from road closures and restricted pedestrian access during the event.

“Each competitor is given a voucher to spend locally so if a cafe gets 20 vouchers, we’ll go back and pay for those vouchers,” Mr Emerton said.  

“We’ve really tried hard to ensure an international event is integrated well into the city.”Â