Origin of Triathlon

Triathlon was invented in the early 1970s by the San Diego Track Club of the United States, as an alternative workout to the rigors of track training. The club's first event consisted of a 10km run, an 8km cycle and a 500metre swim.

Over the next decade, triathlon grew by leaps and bounds and soon gained recognition throughout the world. In 1989, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) was founded in Avignon, France and the first official world championships were held. The official distance for triathlon was set at a 1500m swim, a 40km cycle and a 10km run ­taking from existing events in each discipline already on the Olympic program. This standard distance is used for the ITU World Cup series and will also be featured at the Olympic Games.

Since 1989, the sport has grown rapidly and now has over a hundred affiliated national federations around the world.

In 1994, at the IOC Congress in Paris, France, triathlon was awarded full medal status on the Olympic program and made its debut at the 2000 summer games in Sydney, Australia. The women's event takes place on the first day with the men competing on day two. Triathlon has the honor of being one of the first medals awarded at the Sydney Olympics.

Triathlon Today

Triathlon, despite its short history, already has over 120 nations and regions affiliated with the International Triathlon Union. The sport has an established international circuit with World Cup events held in countries (regions) throughout the world.

Triathlon in China

The first national triathlon tournament was held in 1987 in Sanya city of Hainan Province. The China Triathlon Sports Association was formed in 1990. Professional triathlon sport in China grew quickly when it became an Olympic event in 2000. Two years later, the China triathlon national team was founded in Beijing.

Event History

2006 Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup, China

Men

1 Belaubre, Frederic (FRA) 01:52:47

2 Gomez, Javier (ESP) 01:52:56

3 Poulat, Stephane (FRA) 01:53:43

Women

1 Fernandes, Vanessa (POR) 02:03:53

2 Snowsill, Emma (AUS) 02:04:37

3 May, Elizabeth (LUX) 02:05:24

2005 OSIM Beijing ITU Triathlon World Cup, China

Men

1 Kemper, Hunter (USA) 01:49:51

2 Belaubre, Frederic (FRA) 01:49:55

3 Frodeno, Jan (GER) 01:50:05

Women

1 Fernandes, Vanessa (POR) 02:01:35

2 Taormina, Sheila (USA) 02:03:20

3 Tucker, Helen (GBR) 02:03:34