The ITU level 1 coaching course is an Olympic Solidarity-funded programme, and its facilitators were Swiss Franz Studer and Mohamed Fakhry of Egypt.

In total 14 women and 11 men attended the course, which was opened by the President of the Kurdistan National Olympic Committee, Salah Hassan Khisro.

Iraq Triathlon Federation (ITF) President Kamal Mohammed Qader and the ITF secretary general, Dr. Ameer Abdullah Hasan, also attended.

"This is one of the best courses I have been honoured to be part of and the level of the candidates bodes really well for the sport in Iraq," said Studer.

"We have been welcomed with open arms and the support from the Iraq Triathlon Federation has been amazing."

Erbil is the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, and ITU President Marisol Casado visited to witness the course taking place, as well as to meet with senior sports officials in the country.

Casado's visit was the first by an ITU President to the country, and she was accompanied by ITU Executive Board member Ahmed Nasser.

Participants were taught about triathlon history, physiology, coaching and communication techniques, nutrition, sports psychology, training programme planning, coaching ethics, swimming, transition, cycling and running theory.

The course was designed to help those taking part pass on their learning to others, and is a key step as the ITU works to develop Iraqi triathlon.

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