Triathlon

Summary

The Triathlon races at the 2012 Olympic Games were held over August 4 – 7 in Hyde Park.

The London Olympic Games event was comprised of a 1,500m open water swim, 43km of cycling, and a 10km run. Both men and women competed over the same distance. The limit for entrants for each race was 55, with no nation allowed more than three competitors per race.

All the swimming strokes are permitted. At the end of the swim, and as well as the cycle portion, race competitors must pass through a ‘transition zone’, where they may change clothing and footwear if they wish. From the swim to the cycle, competitors are not allowed to mount their bikes until outside this zone. At the end of the cycle they must dismount before entering the transition zone.

Drafting (riding in the slipstream of another cyclist), is permitted.

Depending on the conditions and severity of the London course, the men’s race is expected to be won in an hour and 40 to 45 minutes while the women’s race will take an hour and 50 to 55 minutes. Transition changing times are expected to be between 20 and 30 seconds.

There are no heats: both the men’s and women’s final events consist of a single race.