The triathlon is a sports competition consisting of three stages: swimming, cycling and running. Triathlon is a part of the Olympic Games, with several modifications and millions of participants around the world.
Triathlon is a three-stage sport competition: first swimming, then cycling and running. Triathlon is an Olympic event, with several modifications and millions of participants worldwide.
The roots of Triathlon in France in the 1920s-1930s. The races were called «race of athletes» and consisted of: running a distance of 3 kilometers, cycling – 12 kilometers and swimming – 12 kilometers.
In 1977, «The Run on the Perimeter of Oahu» relay race was held. During the competition between the Mid-Pacific Runners and the Waikikiu swimmers, there was a dispute over who was stronger – the runners or the swimmers. UPU officer John Collins invited the athletes to participate in a new event. He decided to combine the three biggest events into one. In one day, he had to run, race and drive.
In February 1978, 15 participants took part. Only 12 of them reached the finish line. Gordon Guller was the first. He did it in 11. 46 hours. 56 p. This was the first start of a real men’s race, the Ironman, which translates to «The Fallen Man.»
In 1980, ABC Wide World of Sports broadcast the first triathlon race and the world was introduced to the Ironman. A few years later, it became one of the most memorable sports dramas. The race leader, Julie Moss, was only a few hundred meters away from victory. But she fell to the ground, couldn’t get up, couldn’t hold her feet, and headed to the finish line on all fours. First comes his super wife Kathleen McCartney.
Later, the games became more and more popular and turned into the first world championships, held in France in 1989. Amateur athletes were granted the right to participate in this competition after a series of selection events. Participation in the World Championships is an honor and a prestige for every athlete. Many consider it the pinnacle of any athlete’s career.
Initially, the last stage of the triathlon was swimming, but after several races, it became clear that it was not safe: tired of cycling and running, the muscles just threw themselves into the water. Today, the triathlon takes place in a variant: first swimming, then cycling and the last test – running.
The International Triathlon Federation was founded in 1989.
In 2000 in Sydney triathlon is included in the program of the Olympics. The number of participants keeps growing with every new Olympiad.
Ultra triathlon appeared – the distance of a long triathlon, such as Ironman, enlarged several times. These days there are different competitions in aquathlon, indoor triathlon, winter triathlon and duathlon.