We are now well into the swing of the Paris Olympics 2024 and Team GB are off to a flying start.

More gold medals for Great Britain at the Olympics were claimed on day four in the Men's 4x200m Freestyle Relay for swimming and the Men's Trap for shooting.

Today the men's and women's final in the triathlon will take place with the women's at 7am and the men's at 9.45 am.

But how much do you know about the triathlon event? 

How will Olympic triathlon work at Paris 2024?

Triathlon is a three-for-the-price-of-one Olympic discipline which has established itself as a sporting staple in the calendar.

From Alistair Brownlee’s golden moment at London 2012 to Vicky Holland pipping her compatriot, housemate and best friend Non Stanford to bronze at Rio 2016 – Olympic triathlons are nothing short of iconic.

At Paris 2024, the men’s, women’s and mixed relay will take place from 31 July to 5 August on the Pont Alexandre III course.

What is a triathlon?

A triathlon is an event comprising of three disciplines (swimming, cycling and running) where competitors must transition between all three in one race for the finish line.

How many events are there within an Olympic triathlon?

Until 2021, there were just two events in the Olympic triathlon calendar, individual men’s and individual women’s triathlon.

But, new for the Tokyo Summer Olympics three years ago, a mixed relay team event was introduced meaning for Paris 2024 there will also be a total of three Olympic triathlon events.

How long is an Olympic triathlon in the men’s and women’s events?

The total distance of an Olympic triathlon amounts to 51.5km including a 1.5km swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run.

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How does the Olympic triathlon mixed relay work?

The mixed relay triathlon was first introduced into the Olympic calendar at Tokyo 2020.

A mixed relay features teams of four made up of two male and two female athletes.

Each athlete performs a shorter triathlon distance consisting of a 300m swim, a 6.8km cycle and a 2km run in a relay format.

What is the order for an Olympic triathlon mixed relay?

In Tokyo, the mixed relay order was F, M, F, M meaning Alex Yee ran home the gold medal-winning leg for Team GB.

At Paris 2024, the order will be changed to M, F, M, F meaning a woman will cross the mixed relay finishing line for the first time in Olympic history.

Are there heats within Olympic triathlons?

There are no heats within Olympic triathlons. Once qualified, each event holds one race where medals are always at stake.

Are competitors allowed to wear wetsuits?

It is dependent on temperature whether athletes are allowed to wear wetsuits during the swim leg of an Olympic triathlon.

In accordance with rules set out by World Triathlon, for an Olympic distance of 1.5km, wetsuits are allowed in temperatures 20°C and below and mandatory in anything below 15.9°C.

When wetsuits are mandatory, they must cover at least the torso but cannot exceed 5mm thickness.

When athletes do not wear a wetsuit, they will wear an approved tri-suit which is to be worn for the whole competition.

How does the swim leg work?

Athletes begin an Olympic triathlon with a mass start. Once a signal is given by a blasting horn, competitors move towards the first visible buoy until they reach the water.

Any stroke may be used to propel competitors in the water and athletes are permitted to pause if necessary but must not use any object to gain an advantage.

The swim course commences at the start line and concludes at the water’s exit before entering the transition area and athletes must swim the 1.5km distance within distinctive lane boundaries.

How does the cycling leg work?

When athletes enter the first transition area, all must have their helmets securely fastened upon removing their bikes from the bike rack.

All equipment used at a later stage must be placed within 0.5m of a bin provided.

Cycling is not permitted within the transition area and athletes can mount their bikes once the transition area permits it. If this is not adhered to, a penalty or disqualification can be given.

During the 40km cycle, competitors are allowed to draft off of one another, riding directly behind another athlete to maintain speed in order to conserve energy.

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How does the final run leg work?

Entering the second transition, athletes must remove their helmets and cycling shoes, making sure their bike is racked on their own designated rack.

It is a simple but gruelling 10km run to the finish, and athletes must not be accompanied by anyone who is not competing.

A triathlete completes the race when any part of the torso, excluding the head, neck, shoulder, arms, hips or legs crosses the finishing line.