Etihad Airways first sports sponsorship in the US is up and running

Etihad Airways' first major sports sponsorship in the United States starts with the Nation's Triathlon event taking place in West Potomac Park, Washington, D.C. on September 8, 2013.

Etihad Airways launched its daily service between Abu Dhabi and Washington, D.C in March this year, and is sponsoring the Nation’s Triathlon to promote the sporting links between these two capital cities, and further strengthen the cultural and commercial ties between the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Geert Boven, Etihad Airways’ senior vice president, Americas, said: “Sporting events are a great way of bringing people together. We also see this as an important first step to engage with the people in the local community.”

The sponsorship of the Nation’s Triathlon ties in with the airline’s existing sponsorship of the Tri Yas event in Abu Dhabi, and encourages greater participation from triathletes wishing to take part in either race, with the development of tailored event packages* that include the shipment of bikes, special hotel rates and event entry fees.

Taking place on Sunday, September 8, and officially recognised by the governing body USA Triathlon (USAT), the Nation’s Triathlon is an international distance event comprising a 1.5 kilometre swim, a 40 kilometre bike course, and a 10 kilometre run through the scenic inner city and suburbs of Washington, D.C.