Triathlon at the Olympics
The sport of Triathlon was first contested at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The competition distances used in triathlon competitions around the world can vary, though the distances used at the Olympics are a 1.5 kilometer swim, 40 kilometer cycle, and a 10 kilometer run.
Races run over this distance are now commonly known as 'Olympic Distance' events. At the Olympics there is an event for both men and women.
In the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games another triathlon event has been added with the inclusion of a mixed relay race. Teams of two men and two women will compete on a course consisting of a 300m swim, 8km cycle, and 2km run before tagging a teammate.
Rules
- Mass starts are used for the swim leg, and drafting is allowed during the cycling discipline.
a triathlon mass start swim legTrivia
- There are no time records kept for the Olympic Triathlon, as the terrain and conditions vary for each course.
- In the short history of the triathlon at the Olympic Games, the best all-time performing triathlete is Great Britain's Alistair Brownlee who has won two gold medals, in 2012 and 2016. See more on the greatest Olympic triathletes.
- In 2016, Alistair Brownlee and his younger brother Jonny took first and second place in the men's triathlon. Four years earlier in 2012, they finished first and third.
- The Tokyo men's triathlon event had to be restarted when a boat got in the way of competitors at the starting line. About half of the 56-strong field was unable to dive into the water as the vessel floated in front of the pontoon when the starting gun went off.
- Swiss triathlete Nicola Spirig raced in her fifth Olympics in Tokyo 2020. She won gold in London 2012 and a silver in Rio 2016.
Related Pages
- See more on the greatest Olympic triathletes.
- other triathlon major events
- More about the sport of Triathlon
- In 1904, there was a triathlon event as part of the track & field program.
- Triathlon at the Paralympics and at the Commonwealth Games
- Complete list of Olympic Sports
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