June 23, 2026

ASICS join as Major Partner of Tauranga’s World Triathlon Triple Crown

By Kent Gray

Three year deal a boon for age groupers as well as elite triathletes

• ASICS New Zealand confirmed as Exclusive Footwear & Apparel Partner through 2028
• 2026 World Cup Tauranga to incorporate mass participation favourite 
Tinman Triathlon
• Elite athletes, age groupers, staff, volunteers & officials to benefit from ASICS agreement

Three years. Three world-class events. One global stage for Tauranga


Triathlon New Zealand is proud to announce ASICS New Zealand as the Exclusive Footwear & Apparel Partner of Tauranga’s three-year run of World Triathlon events, a landmark window that will see the city welcome the world’s best triathletes through to 2028.


The partnership covers:

  • 2026 World Triathlon Cup Tauranga
  • 2027 World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) Tauranga
  • 2028 World Triathlon Championship Series Grand Final Tauranga

Together, the events form a World Triathlon Triple Crown for Tauranga, cementing the city’s place on the global triathlon calendar.


RELATED: ASICS deepens commitment to New Zealand triathlon through LA28 cycle


A key milestone of the announcement is confirmation that 2026 World Triathlon Cup Taurangawill be held on Sunday, 22 November 2026, with a race-day format designed to deliver a major boost for age group athletes.

The day will incorporate Tri Tauranga’s iconic mass participation 
Tinman Triathlon, which will again double as the Tri NZ Suzuki Series Standard Distance Championships. That will allow age group competitors to race for PBs, national titles and world champs selection before watching some of the world’s best triathletes compete, likely including New Zealand talisman Hayden Wilde.

Triathlon New Zealand CEO Pete De Wet said locking in both ASICS partnership and a 2026 date was a significant moment for the sport.


“We’re on the cusp of a game changing three years for the sport of triathlon in New Zealand and having a prestigious global brand like ASICS at our side all the way to 2028 only underscores that,” De Wet said.

“To also have a date locked in that will activate our age group community, the beating heart of our sport, is a vital part of our over-arching strategy to ensure a legacy for the sport long beyond the 2028 Grand Final. Tinman is one of New Zealand’s most popular mass participation events and will only add to the 2026 World Triathlon Cup Tauranga experience. We can’t wait.”


ASICS become the first major commercial partner confirmed across the three-event Tauranga hosting agreement, joining the New Zealand Government, through the Major Events Fund, and Tauranga City Council as key event delivery partners.


The ASICS partnership will deliver tangible benefits across the entire event ecosystem. Elite and age group competitors will receive an ASICS goodie bag, while event staff, volunteers and officials will be kitted out in ASICS apparel, ensuring a consistent, high-quality look and feel across all three events.


ASICS New Zealand Marketing Manager Matt Wallace said the partnership reflects the Japanese brand’s commitment to supporting athletes at every level of the sport.

“We’re extremely proud to deepen our support of Triathlon New Zealand in alignment with ASICS overall partnership with World Triathlon,” Wallace said.

“The Triple Crown of World Triathlon events in Tauranga tick all the boxes for us with representation from the sports Olympic Games stars and the world’s most committed age groupers, one of our most loyal customer bases.

“We’re delighted ASICS will be an integral part of the events and an enduring reminder of what we’re confident will be an epic three years for the sport in NZ and for the beautiful Bay of Plenty region.”

While the 2026 event date is now confirmed, dates for the 2027 WTCS Tauranga and 2028 WTCS Grand Final Tauranga have not been confirmed.

Course information for the 2026 World Triathlon Cup will be released soon

About ASICS

ASICS (founded 1949, rebranded 1977) is a premier Japanese athletic brand committed to fostering “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body”. Known for high-performance footwear featuring GEL™ technology, ASICS NZ focuses on blending innovation, sustainability, and superior comfort for runners, walkers, and triathletes of all abilities. 

By Kent Gray June 23, 2026
RHCNZ brand also Medical Imaging Partner
By Kent Gray June 23, 2026
Secures category exclusivity in Sea Freight & Logistics
April 21, 2026
Definition of Therapeutic Use Exemption A Therapeutic Use Exemption allows an Athlete with a medical condition to use a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method. However, only under specific conditions set out in Art 4.2 of the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemption. During their career, Athletes may have an illness or a condition that requires a particular medication or methods of treatment that fall under the Prohibited List. The Athlete is responsible for informing their medical professional that they are also bound to Anti-Doping Rules. The medical professional must try and provide medication that does not contain any prohibited Substances. If the medication contains a Prohibited Substance, they should discuss a non-prohibited alternative. If not possible, then the Athlete needs to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption. Requirements to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption Therapeutic Use Exemptions are mentioned in International Standards to make sure the process of granting an Exemption is the same in all sports and countries. An Athlete will be granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption only if, they can show, that all of the following conditions are met: The Athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition, supported by clinical evidence, that requires treatment using a Prohibited Substance or Method; The health will be significantly impaired if the Athlete does not take the substance; The substance does not enhance the performance beyond what brings the Athlete back to normal health; There are no alternative treatments available that are not prohibited; The need for the use of the Prohibited Substance is not resulting from prior use of a Prohibited Substance. Applying for a TUE Who can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption? Any Athlete who may be subject to doping control must request a Therapeutic Use Exemption to the relevant Anti-Doping Organization before taking a Prohibited Medication. International Level Athlete Athletes considered as international level Athletes should apply for their Therapeutic Use Exemption with World Triathlon directly. International Level Athletes that are all Athletes that are competing in events recongised by World Triathlon and included in the World Triathlon Calendar and in the Elite, Junior, U23, Para Triathlon, and Mixed Relay Programs. National Level Athlete They should apply for their Therapeutic Use Exemption directly to the New Zealand Sport Integrity Commission . In cases of where they compete at an international level, they will have to request World Triathlon to recognize the Therapeutic Use Exemption. Confidentiality of the Medical Information: All the medical information and related documents contained in a Therapeutic Use Exemption application are strictly confidential and treated in accordance with the applicable law regulation. When to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption? Athletes who need to use a Prohibited Substance or Method for therapeutic reasons must obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption before using or possessing the Substance or Method. They must apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption at least 30 days prior to competing . What about the renewal of the Therapeutic Use Exemption? Each Therapeutic Use Exemption has a specific duration and automatically expire when that period ends. If the Athlete needs to continue to use the Prohibited Substance or Method, it is the Athlete’s responsibility to submit a new application for a Therapeutic Use Exemption before the expiry date. What is a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption? In exceptional circumstances Athletes may apply for a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption if, it would be clearly unfair not to grant it. Retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption can be applied if: The Athlete required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition. There was not enough time or opportunity for you to submit the Therapeutic Use Exemption application, or having it approved, before getting tested. The Athlete is a lower-level Athlete who is not under the jurisdiction of World Triathlon or National Anti-Doping Agency and was tested. The Athlete tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that is only prohibited In-Competition (for example glucocorticoids). How does one apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption? 1) Submission of the Therapeutic Use Exemption Form to ITA World Triathlon encourages one to submit Therapeutic Use Exemption and the required medical information applications via ADAMS. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact tue@ita.sport to have it set up. Otherwise, please download the Therapeutic Use Exemption Application Form , and once duly completed and signed, gather the required medical file and contact tue@ita.sport Your Therapeutic Use Exemption application must be submitted in writing, very clearly and using capital letters so it is clear for everyone. The medical file must include: A medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing physician(s); The results of all examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies relevant to the application. Any costs incurred by the Athlete in making the Therapeutic Use Exemption application. Any additional information required are the Athlete’s responsibility. Any Therapeutic Use Exemption application that is not complete or legible will not be dealt with and will be returned for completion and re-submission. To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’s Checklists for Therapeutic Use Exemption applications for guidance and support. 2) Recognition of the Therapeutic Use Exemption to the ITA The International Testing Agency’s Therapeutic Use Exemption will automatically recognize your Therapeutic Use Exemption international-level Competitions, without needing to review the relevant clinical information. If the Therapeutic Use Exemption is correctly entered in ADAMS, there is no need to contact us. Nevertheless, should you require a confirmation, you can submit your request to the International Testing Agency in writing quoting your ADAMS Therapeutic Use Exemption reference number. You can download your Therapeutic Use Exemption certificate directly from ADAMS. 3) Appeal to WADA A decision to deny a Therapeutic Use Exemption application will include a written explanation of the reasons for the denial. The Athlete or the National Anti-Doping Organization may refer the matter directly to WADA for review no later than 21 days after notification of the World Triathlon Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee decision. To appeal the decision, the Athlete shall send the same information as the one submitted to World Triathlon, and on which the decision to deny the Therapeutic Use Exemption was based on. It can be done by post at the following address: WADA Medical Department World Anti-Doping Agency Stock Exchange Tower 800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700) P.O. Box 120 Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7 Canada The email address to enquire or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org Use of Medication During an Athlete’s career, an Athlete may have to take various medications. With or without a doctor prescription, it is the Athlete’s responsibility to check the medication before taking it, even if it is something that has been used in the past. World Triathlon refers to the module about the Prohibited List and the precaution Athletes must take when using medications. Checking the Medication Status Every time you buy a medication (prescribed or not), check the Prohibited List to see if one of the ingredients is on it. You can ask your doctor, the pharmacist, or the New Zealand Sport Integrity Commission. You can use online resources such as GlobalDRO . You can search the status of your medication, see if it contains Prohibited Substances or not. Please note that this is only for medication, and not for supplements . Combination of Prohibited Substance Some Substances can be prohibited when combined with other Substances. For example, if any amount of substance with a threshold limit (such as formoterol, salbutamol) is found with a diuretic or masking agent, it will be considered a positive test if the Athlete does not have Therapeutic Use Exemption for both Substances . Useful tips  During a test: declare mention the any approved Therapeutic Use Exemption and all medications you took the last 7 days on the Doping Control Form Specify that you have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (you do not need to show the Therapeutic Use Exemption approval during doping control) Tell medical professionals that they must follow the Anti-Doping Rules and the Prohibited List (do not hesitate to take the Prohibited List with you) Check with the relevant Anti-Doping Organization if you need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption before using a medication that contains a Prohibited Substance Ask medical professionals if you need a Therapeutic Use Exemption prior to receiving medical treatment Apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption with the relevant Anti-Doping Organization Check the Therapeutic Use Exemption expiry date and do not forget to renew it if needed Take all the precautions when using medications
Show More
By Kent Gray June 23, 2026
RHCNZ brand also Medical Imaging Partner
By Kent Gray June 23, 2026
Secures category exclusivity in Sea Freight & Logistics
April 21, 2026
Definition of Therapeutic Use Exemption A Therapeutic Use Exemption allows an Athlete with a medical condition to use a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method. However, only under specific conditions set out in Art 4.2 of the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemption. During their career, Athletes may have an illness or a condition that requires a particular medication or methods of treatment that fall under the Prohibited List. The Athlete is responsible for informing their medical professional that they are also bound to Anti-Doping Rules. The medical professional must try and provide medication that does not contain any prohibited Substances. If the medication contains a Prohibited Substance, they should discuss a non-prohibited alternative. If not possible, then the Athlete needs to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption. Requirements to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption Therapeutic Use Exemptions are mentioned in International Standards to make sure the process of granting an Exemption is the same in all sports and countries. An Athlete will be granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption only if, they can show, that all of the following conditions are met: The Athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition, supported by clinical evidence, that requires treatment using a Prohibited Substance or Method; The health will be significantly impaired if the Athlete does not take the substance; The substance does not enhance the performance beyond what brings the Athlete back to normal health; There are no alternative treatments available that are not prohibited; The need for the use of the Prohibited Substance is not resulting from prior use of a Prohibited Substance. Applying for a TUE Who can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption? Any Athlete who may be subject to doping control must request a Therapeutic Use Exemption to the relevant Anti-Doping Organization before taking a Prohibited Medication. International Level Athlete Athletes considered as international level Athletes should apply for their Therapeutic Use Exemption with World Triathlon directly. International Level Athletes that are all Athletes that are competing in events recongised by World Triathlon and included in the World Triathlon Calendar and in the Elite, Junior, U23, Para Triathlon, and Mixed Relay Programs. National Level Athlete They should apply for their Therapeutic Use Exemption directly to the New Zealand Sport Integrity Commission . In cases of where they compete at an international level, they will have to request World Triathlon to recognize the Therapeutic Use Exemption. Confidentiality of the Medical Information: All the medical information and related documents contained in a Therapeutic Use Exemption application are strictly confidential and treated in accordance with the applicable law regulation. When to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption? Athletes who need to use a Prohibited Substance or Method for therapeutic reasons must obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption before using or possessing the Substance or Method. They must apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption at least 30 days prior to competing . What about the renewal of the Therapeutic Use Exemption? Each Therapeutic Use Exemption has a specific duration and automatically expire when that period ends. If the Athlete needs to continue to use the Prohibited Substance or Method, it is the Athlete’s responsibility to submit a new application for a Therapeutic Use Exemption before the expiry date. What is a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption? In exceptional circumstances Athletes may apply for a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption if, it would be clearly unfair not to grant it. Retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption can be applied if: The Athlete required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition. There was not enough time or opportunity for you to submit the Therapeutic Use Exemption application, or having it approved, before getting tested. The Athlete is a lower-level Athlete who is not under the jurisdiction of World Triathlon or National Anti-Doping Agency and was tested. The Athlete tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that is only prohibited In-Competition (for example glucocorticoids). How does one apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption? 1) Submission of the Therapeutic Use Exemption Form to ITA World Triathlon encourages one to submit Therapeutic Use Exemption and the required medical information applications via ADAMS. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact tue@ita.sport to have it set up. Otherwise, please download the Therapeutic Use Exemption Application Form , and once duly completed and signed, gather the required medical file and contact tue@ita.sport Your Therapeutic Use Exemption application must be submitted in writing, very clearly and using capital letters so it is clear for everyone. The medical file must include: A medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing physician(s); The results of all examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies relevant to the application. Any costs incurred by the Athlete in making the Therapeutic Use Exemption application. Any additional information required are the Athlete’s responsibility. Any Therapeutic Use Exemption application that is not complete or legible will not be dealt with and will be returned for completion and re-submission. To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’s Checklists for Therapeutic Use Exemption applications for guidance and support. 2) Recognition of the Therapeutic Use Exemption to the ITA The International Testing Agency’s Therapeutic Use Exemption will automatically recognize your Therapeutic Use Exemption international-level Competitions, without needing to review the relevant clinical information. If the Therapeutic Use Exemption is correctly entered in ADAMS, there is no need to contact us. Nevertheless, should you require a confirmation, you can submit your request to the International Testing Agency in writing quoting your ADAMS Therapeutic Use Exemption reference number. You can download your Therapeutic Use Exemption certificate directly from ADAMS. 3) Appeal to WADA A decision to deny a Therapeutic Use Exemption application will include a written explanation of the reasons for the denial. The Athlete or the National Anti-Doping Organization may refer the matter directly to WADA for review no later than 21 days after notification of the World Triathlon Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee decision. To appeal the decision, the Athlete shall send the same information as the one submitted to World Triathlon, and on which the decision to deny the Therapeutic Use Exemption was based on. It can be done by post at the following address: WADA Medical Department World Anti-Doping Agency Stock Exchange Tower 800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700) P.O. Box 120 Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7 Canada The email address to enquire or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org Use of Medication During an Athlete’s career, an Athlete may have to take various medications. With or without a doctor prescription, it is the Athlete’s responsibility to check the medication before taking it, even if it is something that has been used in the past. World Triathlon refers to the module about the Prohibited List and the precaution Athletes must take when using medications. Checking the Medication Status Every time you buy a medication (prescribed or not), check the Prohibited List to see if one of the ingredients is on it. You can ask your doctor, the pharmacist, or the New Zealand Sport Integrity Commission. You can use online resources such as GlobalDRO . You can search the status of your medication, see if it contains Prohibited Substances or not. Please note that this is only for medication, and not for supplements . Combination of Prohibited Substance Some Substances can be prohibited when combined with other Substances. For example, if any amount of substance with a threshold limit (such as formoterol, salbutamol) is found with a diuretic or masking agent, it will be considered a positive test if the Athlete does not have Therapeutic Use Exemption for both Substances . Useful tips  During a test: declare mention the any approved Therapeutic Use Exemption and all medications you took the last 7 days on the Doping Control Form Specify that you have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (you do not need to show the Therapeutic Use Exemption approval during doping control) Tell medical professionals that they must follow the Anti-Doping Rules and the Prohibited List (do not hesitate to take the Prohibited List with you) Check with the relevant Anti-Doping Organization if you need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption before using a medication that contains a Prohibited Substance Ask medical professionals if you need a Therapeutic Use Exemption prior to receiving medical treatment Apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption with the relevant Anti-Doping Organization Check the Therapeutic Use Exemption expiry date and do not forget to renew it if needed Take all the precautions when using medications
Show More