The International Triathlon Union has added Montreal to the calendar for the 2017 World Triathlon Series ©ITU

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has added Montreal, the host of the 1976 Olympic Games, to the calendar for the 2017 World Triathlon Series (WTS).

The Canadian city will take its place on the circuit of the ITU's most prestigious tour next year, on August 5 and 6.

Montreal debuted on the schedule for the second-tier ITU World Cup in August with thousands lining the streets for an event which came just before competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 

Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt won the men's race as Bermuda's Flora Duffy triumphed among the women. 

"Montreal proved to be an impressive host of the World Cup this year, with an incredible turn-out for a new race that met all of our standards for a world class event," said ITU President and International Olympic Committee member Marisol Casado. 

"I’m pleased to welcome Montreal to the WTS, which completes our calendar for the coming season."

Nine cities will host 2017 WTS races in all.

Flora Duffy of Bermuda won an ITU World Cup race in Montreal last month ©Getty Images
Flora Duffy of Bermuda won an ITU World Cup race in Montreal last month ©Getty Images

The season will begin in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates between March 3 and 4, before moving to Australia's 2018 Commonwealth Games host Gold Coast on April 8 and 9.

Yokohama in Japan will host on May 13 and 14 before English city Leeds, the home of men's Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee, takes centre stage on June 10 and 11.

Hamburg in Germany will host a leg on July 15 and 16 before Canadian city Edmonton serves as the venue on July 28 and 30 ahead of the Montreal dates.

Swedish capital Stockholm will host on August 26 and 27 before Dutch city Rotterdam stages the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final on September 14 and 17.

Rotterdam hosted this year's ITU Paratriathlon World Championships and, like Montreal, will be debuting on the WTS circuit next year.