Triathlon Raises Over $10K for Nepal Earthquake Victims

(ATR) The International Triathlon Union completed its one-month emergency fundraising campaign for victims of the earthquake that struck Nepal in April.

The federation raised a total of $10,520 in aid designed to go towards the people of Nepal for supplies such as food, water, shelter and medical supplies.

However, the Nepal Triathlon Association (NTA) has decided to use the funds to help rebuild a school that was torn down by the earthquake.

"As there is a need of help and assistance in every sector, NTA has decided not to spread the amount on individuals, but choose one school which is destroyed and help completely to rebuild," said NTA secretary general Nilendra Shrestha.

The earthquake took the lives of nearly 9,000 people and injured more than 23,000, completely destroying many villages and leaving thousands homeless.

In response, governments, non-profits and the public donated more than $360 million in relief efforts as well as aid-in-kind such as volunteers, helicopters and other supplies.

"The Nepal Triathlon Association family is thankful to the ITU president, Madam Marisol Casado, for her initiative to call on the global triathlon family to come together to help Nepal in this difficult situation… This initiation shows that the international sports community is more than only sports," Shrestha said.

The solidarity campaign by the ITU was funded by donations by triathlon fans, the ITU donating all of its earnings from its Triathlonlive TV passes for the month of May and an auctioned ITU flag signed by Olympic medalists and world champions.

"I’d like to thank everyone that donated to the campaign, as well as to all of the national federations that stepped forward to assist us in helping our friends in Nepal," said ITU president and IOC member Marisol Casado.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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