IOC announces First Youth Olympics to include Triathlon

The Youth Olympic Games will include triathlon as part of the official programme in its debut in Singapore, 2010. At the general assembly of ANOC (Association of National Olympic Committees) in Beijing, China the programme for the first Youth Olympic Games was confirmed and will encompass all 26 sports on the programme of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, with a limited number of disciplines and events.

"To have triathlon included in the programme of the first Youth Olympic Games is a great step for the growth of our sport worldwide," stated ITU Executive Director, Loreen Barnett. "It is essential to the continued success of triathlon that we embrace the youth of this world in healthy, active living. Triathlon has made vast strides since the Athens Games and Singapore will be another benchmark for our sport."

The structure of the triathlon competition, as well as all other sports, will be different then at the Olympic Games with a focus on universality and participation. Besides competitive aspects, participants will avail of sport forums and workshops, the fight against doping, Olympic values and cultural aspects and education.
There will be four triathlon competitions: two individual competitions (Men and Women) over the Sprint distance (750metre swim, 20kilometre bike, 5 kilometre run), and two team relay competitions (Men and Women) where each of the three team members will complete a shortened distance (300 metre swim, 8kilometre bike and 2kilometre run) in relay format.

Because universality is the ultimate goal of the Youth Olympic Games, there will be a maximum of one man and woman from each qualifying country. Qualification has not yet been fixed but will include Continental Qualification events, a World Youth Qualifying event and invitation places. Official qualification procedures will be determined after the Beijing Olympics.

Major Points:
Events
§ Women Individual: A half-Olympic distance competition (0.75km swim, 20km bike, 5km run)

§ Men Individual: A half-Olympic distance competition (0.75km swim, 20km bike, 5km run)
§ Women Team Relay: A super-sprint distance competition (3 x 0.3km swim, 8km bike, 2km run)
§ Men Team Relay: A super-sprint distance competition (3 x 0.3km swim, 8km bike, 2km run)
Schedule
§ The Women Individual competition and the Men Individual competition to be held on the same day with the women's event first, followed by the men's.
§ The Women Team Relay and the Men Team Relay competition to be held on the same day, some days after the individual competitions with the women's event first, followed by the men's event.
Athlete Quota
§ Thirty-two (32) women, thirty-two (32) men.
§ Maximum one (1) athlete per gender, per country.
Ages
§ To be determined in the Fall of 2008
Qualification System
§ To be determined in the Fall of 2008.
Competition Rules
§ ITU Competition Rules apply (i.e. same as Junior Elite rules)
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Youth Olympic Games
The vision of the Youth Olympic Games is to inspire young people around the world to participate in sport and adopt and live by the Olympic values. It was during its session in Guatemala in July 2007 that the IOC decided to create a new sporting event to educate, engage and influence young athletes inspiring them to play an active role in their communities.
The first Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore will bring together approximately 3,200 athletes and 800 officials in 2010. The sports programme will encompass all 26 sports on the programme of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, with a limited number of disciplines and events. For further information, visit www.olympics.org 
 
About International Triathlon Union
The International Triathlon Union was founded in 1989 in Avignon, France and now has over 120 affiliated national federations around the world. Triathlon was awarded Olympic status in 1994 and the ITU is the youngest International Federation in the Olympics. For further information, visit www.triathlon.org