体坛英语新闻：Twelve countries compete in Pan-American Cup

BOGOTA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The athletes from 12 countries confirmed their participation in the Pan American Cup of Triathlonto be hosted from Set. 25 to 27 in Guatape, Colombia.

    According to a communique from the Colombian Institute of Sports (Coldeportes) published on Thursday, the countries which have confirmed their participation are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Colombia, Cuba, U.S. and Mexico.

    On Sept. 25, it will host the Olympic distance, which has elite and sub-23 categories, of 1,500 meters swimming, 40km bike and 10km running.

    On Sept. 27, it will host the sprint with tours of 750 meters swimming, 20km biking and 5 meters of athletics.

    For most of the South American delegations, the Pan American Cup has important meaning as it will be competed at the same place where the South American Games (Odesur) Medellin 2010 will be hosted.

    In Odesure, there will be two races, Olympic distance and sprint, both with an intermediate day. In the Pan American Cup, it will be used the same format, so the sportsmen could experience before the competitions.