The International Triathlon Union has entered into a partnership with systems integration and communications company NTT Group.
The agreement will run for an initial two-year period, from 2016 to 2017.
NTT will serve as the exclusive communications and systems integration partner of the ITU, as well as a global partner of the ITU World Triathlon Series.
The company will showcase its technology to triathlon fans worldwide and also develop a smartphone application for the Japanese market. NTT will provide technology services for selected events in paratriathlon, which will make its debut at this summer’s Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In addition, NTT subsidiary Dimension Data will provide services and technology at a number of ITU events. The deal also includes NTT Group becoming the exclusive communications and systems integration partner at the ITU World Triathlon Series races this year in Australia, Canada, Germany, Great Britain and South Africa.
NTT, which will serve as a partner of the 2016 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships, said it will work with the ITU to expand the new partnership towards 2020 and beyond.
ITU president Marisol Casado said: “Triathletes and triathlon fans are tech-savvy early adapters, and the NTT Group technology platforms will allow ITU to develop some exciting products and services for the future.”