TRIATHLON IN OLYMPICS

A BIT OF HISTORY OF THIS YOUNG SPORT IN OLYMPIC GAMES

AUTHOR: ELENA GRACIA IZQUIERDO

FIRST TIME OF TRIATHLON IN OLYMPICS Triathlon appears in Olympic games first time in the 2000

Summer Olympics in Sydney. There, 48 women and 52 men competed in separate

triathlons. The distances used were the "international" or

"standard" ones, with a 1.5 km (0.93 mi) swim, 40 km (25 mi) cycle, and a 10 km (6.2 mi) run, actually called, the “Olympic distance”.

The Sydney Opera House

played host to the first Summer Olympic triathlon

events at the 2000 Summer

Olympics.

2004, 2008 AND 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES The 2004 triathlon in Athens, was developed at

Vouliagmeni Olympic Centre. It was identical to the first in distance, but the 100-athlete quota was evened between 50 women and 50 men.

In 2008 Beijing Olympics, the competition was developed at the Tombs of the Ming Dynasty. The quota of athletes was further increased to 55 women and 55 men.

In last Olympics in London 2012, the quota of athletes was the same, and it took place at Hyde Park.

Alistair Brownlee, Gomez Noya y Jonathan Brownlee running to win the gold in

London 2012

TABLE OF WINERS: WOMEN

YEAR GOLD SILVER BRONZE

2000: SydneyBrigitte

McMahon (SUI)

Michellie Jone

(AUS)

Magali

Messmer (SUI)

2004: AthensKatherine Allen

(AUT)

Loretta Harrop

(AUS)

Susan Williams

(EEUU)

2008: BeijingEmma Snowsill

(AUS)

Vanessa

Fernandes

(POT)

Emma Moffat

(AUS)

2012: LondonNicola Spirig

(SUI)

Lisa Nordén

(SWE)

Erin Densham

(AUS)

TABLE OF WINERS: MEN

YEAR GOLD SILVER BRONZE

2000: SydneySimon

Whitfield (CAN)

Stephan

Vuckovic (GER)

Jan Rehula

(CZE)

2004: AthensHamish Carter

(NZL)

Bevan

Docherty (NZL)

Sven Riederer

(SUI)

2008: BeijingJan Frodeno

(GER)

Simon

Whitfield (CAN)

Bevan

Docherty (NZL)

2012: London

Alistair

Brownlee

(GBR)

Javier Gómez

Noya (ESP)

Jonathan

Brownlee

(GBR)

NEXT STOP: RIO 2016

Actually, the system of clasification for next Olympic Games, is taking place.

The International Triathlon Federation published the rating system for RIO 2016 Olympics: The "Road To Rio" officially begin on May 15, 2014 at

the World Triathlon Series Yokohama, providing an opportunity for athletes to get a place in the Olympics during two year (the qualifying period ends on May 15, 2016).

A total of 55 men and 55 women will battle for gold in Rio, where the only top 8 countries of the National Olympic Committee will have 3 seats. The rest will compete with only two seats.

NEXT STOP: RIO 2016

Triathletes selected by the National Olympic Committee wishing to participate in the Olympic Games in Rio will have to meet one of the following requirements:

Winning the place by the classification ITU Continental Events

Winning the place by the classification ITU World Events 2015

Be among the first 140 in the list of Olympic Qualification

Be among the first 140 of the ITU World Triathlon Series Ranking 2015

Be among the first 140 of the ITU Points List

…WHAT DO YOU THINK WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN

RIO 2016?