I'd hate to be the guy that bumps into him on the swim

Looks like he's gonna have a drafting pack from start to finish :)

What kind of bike does he have?
Also, I think he should get disqualified if he is going to have his entourage with him during the race. That's like having a gorilla pacing you.

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IIRC the Crown Prince of Denmark did the IM in Copenhagen. I guess he must have had a bodyguard behind him, probably on a motorbike. The Crown Prince of Norway did a Marathon recently, with police protection. These guys don't do anything without 2-3 bodyguards.

I saw the same thing. I was wondering what all the black SUV's were for.

isn't everyone in that country a "prince"...I wonder where he did his training, isn't Bahrain like 30 mile long and 10 miles wide. anyway, racing with 1-2 security detail, if you're a real prince is understandable, but and entire entourage is a little ridiculous to me. These people have so much money, they should just buy out the entire event, that way their safety is guaranteed

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"Though she be but little, she is fierce" ~Shakespeare | Powered by HD Coaching | 2014 Wattie Ink Triathlon Team | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

I wonder if they'll sponsor a Bahrain's women's team.

If he gets DQ'd he can just buy WTC and have himself reinstated.

They can just swim around their private lake, do a 112 mile bike around the perimeter of the garden, and run around their tennis / badminton courts. Why leave their palace/walled city?

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I believe it is Sheikh Nassar bin Hamad Al Khalifa. There is a picture of him meeting Andrew Messick on the Ironman Twitter feed. Nassar is a real prince. The House of Khalifa rule Bahrain and has done for many years. I believe Nassar may head Bahrain's Olympic Committee. I also believe he has completed triathlons in the past. I spent close to 15 years living in Bahrain. I believe it most likely that there will be a visible security presence around Nassar. How invasive it is on race day could depend on how successful WTC is in explaining the race rules to Nassar's security personnel.

so that's the crown prince right? in other words, in line for the throne.

I saw three of the security guys in suits in the merchandise tent buying stuff for them. Not the typical Lycra and tech t-shirts you normally see in there so it struck me as odd.

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I don't think so. I think he may be the eldest son of the King's second wife (see number 10):

http://en.wikipedia.org/..._the_Bahraini_throne

Let me clarify. In line. But not the Crown Prince. 10th as opposed to 1st.

The poor chap will never get a dime and will die poor with only a few castles and palaces and mansions.

Looks like his brother is racing too and it also appears some people aren't happy about it?

http://www.newsherald.com/...etes-1.227034?page=1

I had to park down the road because they had the road blocked off for these buffoons.

What are the odds the had to volunteer or get lucky online to sign up? Also the poor souls had to fly into Pensacola because PCB couldn't handle their 747-400

Another story:

http://www.wjhg.com/...onman-229895961.html

I will note that VPS is closer and can handle a 747 with a space shuttle on top of it (it was a secondary refueling stop when they used to have to fly the shuttles back from California) , but I guess the USAF, which owns the runways, didn't consider them enough of a friendly to allow them to land there.

The world human rights league tried to get WTC to not allow him to race. Google Bahrain ironman Florida. Apparently this is one bad dude.

Oh the world we live in. They can race, but Lance can't run in a sanctioned 5k.

If I see them on the course, I will exercise my free speech rights and do my best to make them feel unwelcome. I urge others to do the same. If they mention these folks at the athlete dinner, please join me in booing them.

quote NeverEnough]The world human rights league tried to get WTC to not allow him to race. Google Bahrain ironman Florida. Apparently this is one bad dude.[/quote]

I was wondering what was going on, it was really strange having that many black escalades with drivers sitting there.
I can't wait to see the security on the swim!

I challenge each and every woman that passes them to yell, "YOU GOT CHICKED" loudly and with gusto.

If someone can photoshop this to apply to IM. Florida, you are my hero...

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"Sweep the leg...Do you have a problem with that?" - John Kreese

I will say I noticed them getting special treatment today....which I think is bullshit. Everyone complains about the wtc.....I do not have a reason to dislike them....I love their events. If they call these guys out at the banquet, that would be very disappointing. If they are going to call someone out, how about a wounded veteran or a former obese person who is going to do an ironman. I heard that they did another event and there were protestors there.....the shiek's guards shut them up. Should get interesting.

They walked out of the expo with bags and bags of stuff and 3 QR's with Di2 and zipp wheels. Their private 747 is at the Panama City beach airport.