U.S.A. Triathlon and CBD: A Long Awaited Relationship

The triathlon is a multisport competition made of three uninterrupted races; swimming, biking, and running. There are four primary triathlon distances; Sprint, Standard, Half-Ironman, and the full Ironman. Typically when the general public hears the term triathlon they think of the Ironman, but there are three others that they could be referencing.

Many athletes within the sports industry in the United States, along with other nations, have embraced CBD as part of their preventative and treatment regimens. However, the U.S.A. Triathlon is now the first official governing body to fully incorporate a sponsorship deal with a CBD company.

Cannabidiol, or CBD as it is commonly known, is the non-psychoactive compound found in industrial hemp and cannabis. THC is the psychoactive compound that typically comes to mind when you think of cannabis. However, legal CBD products contain less than 0.3% THC and are said to be formulated for many physical and mental conditions.

From inflammation and pain, to stress and anxiety relief, all the way to gastrointestinal health, CBD is climbing to the top of many health regimens from the novice athlete to the professional. Products range from oils, capsules, to edibles and are now available as industrial hemp flowers which closely resembles marijuana.

The Why Behind the Partnership

The triathlon industry began to pick up interest to the general public and athletes alike after it was made part of the 2000 Olympics. Unfortunately, the excitement behind the sport has seen a decline over the past few years, a 25 percent decrease during the five year span between 2013 and 2018.

Many contribute this decline to the registration fees, equipment needed for the sport, and the high cost of hosting races. The Triathlon body states it brings in around $16 million annually with about $2 million of that coming from sponsorships.

The partnership with Pure Spectrum was not set in stone until the agency completed a 6 month trial period to determine whether it will be a profitable or risky partnership. This trial also allowed them to ensure their athletes would pass drug tests if using the products and if they could abide by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations simultaneously.

A major factor that sets Pure Spectrum apart for the U.S.A. Triathlon agency is their commitment to following their products from seed to sell. They control each level of manufacturing from the moment the seed enters the soil and then test the products five times throughout production.

These tests are to ensure that there is zero THC present. While CBD products can legally contain up to 0.3% THC the Triathlon agency requires zero to ensure purity and the highest quality for their athletes.

More impressive facts regarding Pure Spectrum is their recent change in vape products. As of October 2019 they have halted sales and manufacturing of their vape products due to the health concerns that are on the rise. Pure Spectrum has specifically targeting athletes and active individuals since 2015 when the company was founded.

CBD & Athletes

CBD has been used by professional athletes for the past few years. Some notable faces of the product include –

Nate Diaz – MMA fighter who publicly used a CBD vape at a 2016 press conference which brought CBD to the forefront of active lifestyles and recovery early on.

Terrell Davis – Former Denver Broncos NFL player who has been on record for saying his career would have been longer had he known about CBD earlier.

Gina Mazany – Female UFC fighter stated in a Marijuana.com interview that she benefits from the compound in many ways.

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Athletes on every level typically prefer to avoid prescription medications and live relatively healthy lifestyles. Pure Spectrum seems to have given the U.S.A. Triathlon agency reason to believe they are the right choice for their athletes. The partnership will provide sponsorship along with being the top choice for their athletes CBD products.