Is Triathlon An Olympic Sport?

Yes, triathlon is a Summer Olympic sport and it has been since 1896. The first race happened on September 25 1974.

Triathlon is made up of three sports that have been around for centuries. Running, biking, and swimming have all existed for many years and have been part of the Olympic Games since the founding of the modern games in 1896. However, the three put together into one event is fairly new, having started in the 1970s in San Diego. The first race occured on September 25, 1974 consisting of a 10km run, 8km bike and 500m swim.

Triathlon in the Olympic Games

In 1989, less than two decades into its existence, triathlon was awarded olympic status. This meant that the games would receive funding and support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which would increase the popularity and participation of the sport. Triathlon was the quickest sport to receive said olympic status of any sport in the world, likely because it was made up of other sports that already existed.  It would take another eleven years for the sport to make its way to the Olympic Games themselves, being featured at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Triathlon has been an Olympic Sport ever since. At the Olympics, participants from dozens of countries take place in a 1.5km (0.93mi) swim, 40km (24.8mi) bike and finish with a 10km (6.2mi) run. Famous Olympic triathletes include the Brownlee brothers, Alistair and Johnny, British athletes who have participated in the Olympic Games since 2012. The triathlon is usually performed outdoors, in the public streets and waters of the city in which the Olympics are hosted, making the triathlon a public spectacle for free and a fan favorite to watch.