Triathlon, born in the seventies

Imagine swimming in a body of water, then getting on your bike to cover a long distance and, finally, racing to the finish line on foot. That's what triathlon is all about, an endurance event often held in picturesque locations, combining three disciplines: swimming, cycling and running.

Distances vary according to competition level and intensity: from the super-sprint format (400 m, 10 km and 2.5 km) to the Ironman format (4.0 km, 180 km and 42.195 km). At the Olympic Games, the standard distance format is: 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike and 10 km run.

One of the main characteristics of the triathlon is the immediate transition between the three disciplines. Transitions - considered the "fourth discipline" - are an integral part of the overall race time. The main aim of T1 (swim-bike transition) and T2 (bike-run transition) is to switch from one sport to the other with optimum speed.

Although triathletes are often depicted as endurance obsessed, self-betterment gurus, people from all walks of life are found to compete in the sport. From professional athletes to assiduous amateurs, the profiles are as varied as the formats.

One of the sport's most famous athletes is a American nun. Madonna Buder, also known as Sister Madonna or Iron Nun, has become the oldest triathlete to complete an Ironman, at the age of 82. Fun fact: she only took up triathlon at the age of 48.

Specialized gear for all three sports, effort management and an unbreakable mindset are the prerequisites for getting started. Want to mix it up? In addition to the "classic" triathlon, the French Triathlon Federation recognizes several other derivative disciplines. Duathlon, aquathlon, mud runs, swimruns… variations allow athletes to diversify their training and take on new challenges.

By the early 20th century, multi-disciplinary competitions had already been established. In 1902, on the banks of the Marne, in Joinville-le-Pont (Val-de-Marne), every Sunday in summer, an event called "Les Trois Sports" took place: 4 km of running, 12 km of cycling and then crossing the river in a canoe! It wasn't until the 1920s that swimming replaced canoeing. In 1904, at the Olympic Games in Saint Louis (USA), an event combining long jump, shot put and 100-yard sprint (91.44 m) was also presented as a "triathlon".

Officially, triathlon first appeared in 1974. Jack Johnstone and Don Shanahan of the San Diego Track Club decided to organize a novel event combining running, cycling and swimming. On September 25 of the same year, 46 participants took part in the first triathlon in San Diego (California). The race was made up of a 6-mile (9.66 km) run, a 5-mile (8.05 km) bike ride and a 500-yard (457.2 m) swim. Winner Bill Phillips won in less than 56 minutes.

Twenty years later, triathlon took a decisive step towards worldwide recognition. The sport was officially included in the Olympic program at the Sydney Games in 2000. This marked a major turning point for the sport, providing a prestigious platform and unrivaled global exposure.

In Australia, it was Canada's Simon Whitfield - who won the event in 1 h 48 min 24 s - and Switzerland's Brigitte McMahon - who won in 2 h 40 s - writing the first lines of Olympic triathlon history.

On home soil, the Tricolores will be out in force. After winning the first French Olympic medal in triathlon history at the Tokyo 2021 Games in the mixed relay, Les Bleus are hoping to open their individual account in the Paris.

On the men's side, four triathletes are competing for a place: Dorian Coninx (short-distance world champion 2023), Léo Bergère (short-distance world champion 2022), Vincent Luis (double short-distance world champion 2019 and 2020) and Pierre Le Corre (long-distance world champion 2022). Competition will be tough, as only three of them will be able to take part in the Paris 2024 Games.

The same goes for the women, where Cassandre Beaugrand, Emma Lombardi and Léonie Périault are up against each other for qualification.

Contrary to popular belief, triathlon is a very accessible sport in Paris! The capital is home to 18 clubs. Want to push yourself or try your hand a multiple sports? Give triathlon a try!