The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and The Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (DAGOC) have announced their support for the first ever Middle East Triathlon.

The inaugural Middle East Triathlon will be staged at Dubai's Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa on April 15, and will be held in association with the 15th Asian Games in Doha 2006.

The sport of triathlon, which has been active in the Middle East for over 10 years, will make its Asian Games debut in Doha when the event gets under way in December next year.

"The sport of triathlon in the Middle East is bound to increase its profile as a result of this announcement," said Race Director Rory McRae.

"With the sport to debut at the Asian Games in 2006, this event gives athletes from the Middle East and Asia a great opportunity to race in the region and gauge their level of fitness and readiness for next year," McRae added.

The event will consist of a 750 metre swim, 20km bike ride and a 5km run. A smaller event for juniors and beginners will also be staged.

The organisers will also have a separate category for the Team Relay event, with each member required to complete one discipline.

While the organisers will invite participating countries from the Middle East and Asia, the event is an open event and will attract expatriate athletes from around the Middle East and Gulf countries.

"The International Triathlon Union, the governing body of the sport, has also identified the Middle East as an area of development and will be present during this first-time event," McRae said.

"Their interest in the Middle East Triathlon further underlines the sport's rapid growth in the region."

The sport of triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

While the Middle East Triathlon is in its first year, the sport itself has been active in the Middle East for over a decade.

During that time there has been some of the world's best triathletes competing in the region, including Greg Welch, Simon Lessing, Chris McCormack, Fares Al Sultan, Dimitry Gagg, Rasmus Hennings, Michellie Jones, Jo King, Emma Carney, Lenka Radova and Melanie Mitchell to name just a few.

McRae believes the Middle East remains an untapped market for talent, with local opinion suggesting that it is a sport that is suitable to the climate and body type of local athletes.

Further information on the triathlon may be obtained at www.middleeasttriathlon.com.