(spacer)EdGate Gateway to the Summer Games torch image(spacer)
(placeholder) (placeholder) (placeholder) (placeholder) (placeholder)
(placeholder) Brought to you by EdGate and Griffin Publishing Athens 2004
   

Triathlon

Triathlons began as a different form of training for marathon and 10-kilometer, or 10K, runners who wanted a break in their regular training programs. Since 1978, when the first Ironman Triathlon was held in Hawaii, the sport has grown tremendously. In September 1994, the International Olympic Committee named triathlon as a medal sport for the 2000 Olympic Summer Games.

The Events
There are three events in the triathlon: a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike ride, and a 10K run. Both men and women compete in exactly the same events, but on separate days.

Scoring
There is no scoring, as such, in the triathlon. The clock starts as soon as the gun sounds for the first event—the swim. The three events are performed one after another, with no rest breaks or timeouts. The competitor who crosses the line first at the end of the swim, bike ride, and run wins the gold medal for the competition. All athletes need speed, strength, and endurance, of course, but strategy is just as important.

Competition
1.5K Swim - The fastest swimmers tend to be in the lead, but slower swimmers often swim “on the toes” or in the draft of a faster swimmer. This strategy can keep them in the race. At the end of the swim, which takes place in open water, the athletes have to change from swim caps and goggles—or their wetsuits if the water temperature is below 20º C (68º F)—and get on their bicycles.

40K Bike - Triathletes must put on cycling helmets, but it is standard procedure to have shoes already attached to the bike pedals and to put them on as the athletes get up to speed on the course. Drafting—cycling behind another, faster competitor—is legal in an Olympic triathlon and saves energy.

10K Run - The final event of the triathlon—the 10K run—begins with another change of gear for the athletes. They get rid of their helmets, slide into running shoes, and are off for the last of the three events. There may be a surge during the run—runners trying to put distance between themselves and the other runners.

News, History, and Fast Facts

More sports


Archery

Badminton

Baseball

Basketball

Boxing

Canoeing & Kayaking

Cycling

Diving

Equestrian

Fencing

Field Hockey

Gymnastics

Judo

Paralympics

Pentathlon

Rowing

Sailing

Shooting

Soccer

Softball

Swimming

Synchronized Swimming

Table Tennis

Taekwondo

Team Handball

Tennis

Track & Field

Triathlon

Volleyball

Water Polo

Weightlifting

Wrestling

General Sports Links
Olympians will compete in dozens of sports this summer. Even though Gateway to the Summer Games can't feature them all, you can learn about each and every one by visiting the sites listed below.


Portions of the above text were excerpted from Share the Olympic Dream--Volume II.
© 2001 by Griffin Publishing Group/United States Olympic Committee.

For information on purchasing Griffin materials, please visit the Griffin Publishing Group Web site at http://www.griffinpublishing.com.

 

Help | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
© Copyright 2004 EdGate All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Produced in partnership with Griffin Publishing Group.