Marco the Marmot at Triathlon de Nyon: A Weekend of Sport, Friendship and Fun

Marco the Marmot had an unforgettable weekend at the Triathlon de Nyon, filled with sport, friendship, Swiss traditions, and plenty of fun. As the official mascot of Triathlon de Nyon, Marco joined the event to cheer on athletes, meet families, and bring extra energy to the weekend.

The adventure began at the Opening Ceremony, where Marco met triathletes from many different countries. It was a wonderful opportunity to welcome international athletes to Nyon, take photos together, and celebrate how sport can connect people from all over the world.

There was also a very Swiss surprise on stage: an alphorn. The traditional instrument added a special local touch to the ceremony and made the international event feel even more connected to Switzerland and its culture.

Throughout the event, Marco spent lots of time cheering for the young athletes. During the boys’ race, he watched the children give their best from start to finish. One of the most exciting moments came when three young runners were racing very closely together. It was a fantastic rivalry and a great example of determination and sportsmanship.

Next came the girls’ race. Before the start, Marco watched the young athletes warm up and prepare for their challenge. Their energy was contagious, and Marco was so excited that he decided to join the warm-up too. A few stretches, some movement, and a little bit of marmot enthusiasm were all part of the fun.

The Mini Kids and Tri Kids races were among Marco’s favourite moments of the weekend. These categories give children the chance to discover triathlon through swimming, cycling, and running, with distances adapted to their age. It was inspiring to see so many young athletes being active, challenging themselves, and enjoying the experience together.

Then it was time for swimming. The swimming section brought another exciting part of the triathlon experience, with participants getting ready to take on the water before continuing with the next stages of the race.

Families were also an important part of the event. Through Team Famille and the Unified Event Special Olympics, Triathlon de Nyon created opportunities for people of different ages and abilities to participate together. For Marco, this was a beautiful reminder that sport is not only about competition, but also about inclusion, encouragement, and sharing experiences with others.

Between the races, Marco met many new friends and took lots of photos with athletes, families, volunteers, organisers, and visitors. These moments became some of the best memories of the weekend. Every smile, high-five, and photo showed the friendly and welcoming spirit of the event.

The weekend ended with a joyful Closing Ceremony. Marco joined the committee on stage, and of course, there was dancing. After so much swimming, cycling, running, cheering, and meeting new friends, it was the perfect way to celebrate an amazing event.

Thank you, Triathlon de Nyon, for this wonderful event and opportunity. Marco loved every moment, from meeting international athletes and cheering for the kids to celebrating family sport and inclusion. It was a weekend full of energy, friendship, and unforgettable memories.

See you next year, Triathlon de Nyon! 🐾🇨🇭