A recent member of Olympic family, triathlon, is a multi-sport event involving three different sports. Believed to have originated in France around 1920s, these sports can be compared to a medley. The event consists of three sports in a course within a given set of rules and regulations. Though there are many variations of this sport, the one in Olympics consists swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession. The distances to be covered are 1.5 km swim, 40 km ride, 10 km run respectively. Identified as one of the most popular event in Olympic Games, more than half a million spectators watched this event at Sydney streets in 2000 where it was first featured in Olympics. Read on further to know more about this interesting event. The time schedule of this event in London Olympics 2012 is also given below.
Triathlon Programs In Olympics
Men's Event
Triathlon is an interesting multi-sport event in London Olympics 2012. Here is the schedule of the competitions for you reference.
Schedule Of Triathlon
- Individual Men
Women's Event
- Individual Women
Schedule Of Events
04 August 2012
09:00-11:40
04 August 2012
09:00-11:40
- Women's Triathlon
- Women's Victory Ceremony
07 August 2012
11:30-14:00
11:30-14:00
- Men's Triathlon
- Men's Victory Ceremony
Game
Triathlon is a multi-sport event, which involves completing three different types of tasks at a stretch, in a given set of rules and regulations. Whoever finishes the task successfully in the fastest time possible will be crowned winner. The Olympic triathlon involves swimming, cycling, and running with various distances for each sport. The course includes 1.5 km swim, 40 km ride and 10 km run. The total time taken to complete the task includes the transition time and preparation time. Another important thing is that this game does not consist of any heats in Olympics; both men's and women's events are completed in a single race.
Triathlons are of three different distances - the main international race distances (Sprint distance) is 750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run, Intermediate or Standard distance is 1.5 km swim, 40 km ride, 10 km run, the Long Course is 1.9 km swim, 90 km ride, 21.1 km run and ultra-distance is 3.8 km swim, 180 km ride, and a marathon: 42.2 km run. In this, the intermediate distance is adapted in Olympics and hence, it is known as Olympic distance as well. There are specific areas called Transition areas between two different segments and this area is used to store bicycles, change dresses, and taking any accessories to prepare for the next segment. There are two transition areas between the three sports. The first transition area (T1) is positioned between the swim and bike segments and the second transition area (T2) is positioned between the bike and run segments. The time spent in T1 and T2 is considered while calculating the overall time of the race. Athletes must wear helmet before mounting their bike and cannot leave the transition zone before mounting their bike. Any failure in following these rules may results either in time penalties or even disqualification.
Amazing Facts
Triathlon is a multi-sport event, which involves completing three different types of tasks at a stretch, in a given set of rules and regulations. Whoever finishes the task successfully in the fastest time possible will be crowned winner. The Olympic triathlon involves swimming, cycling, and running with various distances for each sport. The course includes 1.5 km swim, 40 km ride and 10 km run. The total time taken to complete the task includes the transition time and preparation time. Another important thing is that this game does not consist of any heats in Olympics; both men's and women's events are completed in a single race.
Triathlons are of three different distances - the main international race distances (Sprint distance) is 750 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run, Intermediate or Standard distance is 1.5 km swim, 40 km ride, 10 km run, the Long Course is 1.9 km swim, 90 km ride, 21.1 km run and ultra-distance is 3.8 km swim, 180 km ride, and a marathon: 42.2 km run. In this, the intermediate distance is adapted in Olympics and hence, it is known as Olympic distance as well. There are specific areas called Transition areas between two different segments and this area is used to store bicycles, change dresses, and taking any accessories to prepare for the next segment. There are two transition areas between the three sports. The first transition area (T1) is positioned between the swim and bike segments and the second transition area (T2) is positioned between the bike and run segments. The time spent in T1 and T2 is considered while calculating the overall time of the race. Athletes must wear helmet before mounting their bike and cannot leave the transition zone before mounting their bike. Any failure in following these rules may results either in time penalties or even disqualification.
Amazing Facts
- Wondering how long would an athlete take to complete the Olympic distance? World's leading competitors need less than one hour 50 minutes to finish the course!
- Brigitte McMahon (Switzerland) and Simon Whitfield (Canada) were the first Olympic Triathlon champions.
- The key in heading towards success in Triathlon is to reduce the time taken in the transition area. It is very crucial and a little lag here can lead to losing the game.