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.
Wearing a triathlon wetsuit has been known to sometimes provide an actual swimming speed boost. The results are just not the same
as you would get from a typical wet suit (such as for diving) or that without a triathlon wetsuit. Triathlon wet suits have ben known
to help people swim easier (same speed but less energy cost) and swim faster, as well as keeping your body warmer.
There are many triathlon events all over the world now including in the Olympic Games. These 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.