NTT Group Sponsors World Triathlon Series and Provides Digital Tools

TOKYO, May 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (NTT East) and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation (NTT West) have entered into an agreement to become global partners with International Triathlon Union (ITU) and Japan Triathlon Union (JTU) to support the ITU World Triathlon Series (WTS) and other events.

NTT Group (the above three companies and others; see Appendix for details, http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M103813/201605110493/_prw_OA1fl_0fpUeklA.pdf), in cooperation with ITU and JTU, will begin providing distribution of images of the Elite Paratriathlon race, a competition of top athletes with disabilities, and official triathlon related smart phone apps, beginning with WTS Yokohama 2016 (scheduled for May 14 - 15, 2016) and continuing with future races, while developing a race data tracking system. In this way, NTT Group aims to enhance convenience for competitors and spectators alike, while considerably improving the charm of firsthand experience in watching races. The overall aim is to further increase the value of triathlon events.

I. Providing Digital Tools for the ITU World Triathlon Series (WTS)

NTT Group will provide digital tools for participating triathletes, spectators and organizers of WTS and other events, by fully utilizing its own ICT technologies and service infrastructures in Japan and worldwide.

1. Provision of digital tools at WTS Yokohama 2016

(1) Distribution Service of Live Video of Triathlon Events

Race footage of Elite Paratriathlon races will be distributed live via the Internet. The distributed images can be viewed on the JTU official website and via the Triathlon Official Smartphone App.

Contact: NTT East
(supported by NTT Plala Inc. and NTT Electronics Corporation)

Date: May 14, 2016

(2) Triathlon Official Smartphone App

This app is designed for general, non-elite triathlon competitors known as "Age Groupers." It is equipped with a function suitable for preparing for races, including a cumulative recording system of individual training and diets, an automatic ranking system for individual results, and more. In addition, the app provides information about triathlon events plus tourist attractions in Japan.

Contact: NTT Advertising, Inc. (NTT Ad.)

Date: Scheduled for May 9, 2016 (Details to be released in mid-July)

Sample Images of Triathlon Official Smartphone App

(Image1: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M103813/201605110493/_prw_OI1im_dmy7CuG0.png)
(Image2: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M103813/201605110493/_prw_OI2im_zdGG5DX5.png)
(Image3:
http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M103813/201605110493/_prw_OI3im_0I82u5f5.png)

(3) Triathlon Event Operation Support Service IMADOKO+ (Live Positioning Service)

IMADOKO+ ensures smooth event operations by providing easy-to-see map display information indicating the state of activities and locations of staff members.

Contact: NTT West (Original supplier: NTT Smart Connect)

Dates: May 14 and 15, 2016

2. Provision of Digital Tools for Future Events are Scheduled

LIVE Tracking Service
By gathering ongoing information including the location and the speed from a device that triathletes will wear during races, an unprecedented experience will be offered to competitors, spectators, and organizers alike, in order to enhance the dynamism of Triathlon races and events as a whole. The LIVE Tracking Service is being developed based on a digital service that Dimension Data, an NTT Group Company, provided at Tour de France 2015.

Contact: Dimension Data, NTT Communications

Note for Reference: Footage from Tour de France 2015: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eaPaUC9aWs

II. Sponsorship for ITU WTS

NTT East and NTT West have been supporting triathlon events in Japan and the country's National Triathlon Team since 1990. From April 1 of this year the companies began serving as an ITU global partner in the co-sponsorship of WTS, ASTC Asian Triathlon events and the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championship. The aim is to further develop the sport of triathlon at the global level, expand NTT Group's branding exposure in overseas markets, and contribute to sports overall by utilizing proprietary ICT knowhow.

Testimonials:

Marisol Casado, President of ITU

"NTT Group and ITU have enjoyed building a good relationship on our common goal to further develop the sport. I am confident that their sponsorship will assist us in taking triathlon to the next level by enhancing information available to fans through their data services."

Shin Otsuka, Director General and CEO of JTU

"Our history of triathlon in Japan has been supported by NTT Group for a long time, but we will not rely on what we have achieved; rather, we will work even harder to develop our sport of triathlon by making the best use of ICT capabilities so that more and more people can enjoy triathlon."

SOURCE International Triathlon Union (ITU); Japan Triathlon Union (JTU); NTT Group