What is a triathlon?
A triathlon is the Greek term for a race that was derived from the three
sports events of swimming, cycling and running. This has become a very popular
sports event and in the modern versions the athletes are timed on each leg
of the race as well as the time taken in between for changing of clothing
and equipment. A triathlon is a very long contest that requires the athlete
to have strength and endurance. During the different stages, different muscles
and energy stores are used which is why the training for a triathlon is
intense and persistent.
A triathlon can be attributed to having its roots in France. The race was
said to have begun in the 1920’s in Joinville le Pont and still happens
to this day where contestants must take part in a 3km run, a 12km cycling
race, and then a swim across the Marne channel. The modern long distance
triathlon was the Hawaiian Iron man triathlon competition. The idea began
amongst eth Hawaiian swimmers and marathon runners who debated who of the
two athletes were more fit and decided to challenge each other.
There are many triathlon events all over the world now including in the
Olympic Games. Th
ese vary in distances and some of
the rules may also change slightly. These have dedicated names like the
super sprint, sprint, Olympic, ITU long distance, half iron man, triathlon
one 0 one, and the iron man. Other events are called the Formula One, the
equilateral triathlon, and the Ultra man triathlon which is held in Hawaii
every year.
A triathlon can also be a winter sports event where contests are cross country
skiing, mountain biking or outdoor speed skating, and running. The set up
for a triathlon of any kind takes about an hour, as each participant will
have to set up their equipment, and clothes or shoes at each transition
area between the stages. There are also various competitions that allow
age grouping to allow more amateur athletes a better chance. There are also
instances where men and women can compete against each other but this is
not allowed in the Olympics.
