Triathlon
Triathlon is a swim, a bike ride and a run, done one after another without a break; the clock runs from the swim start to the finish line, so the time spent changing between them counts. The standard distance is a 1500-metre swim, a 40-kilometre ride and a 10-kilometre run; the sprint distance is half that.
Checked 20 October 2026
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How long
Standard distance: 1500 m swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run; the sprint distance is half that
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Olympic Games (triathlon)The title triathlon is measured by.Every 4 years · Holder: Men's: Alex Yee
- 2World Triathlon Championship Series and FinalThe world title, decided over a season ending in a final.Yearly · Holder: 2026 series, final in Pontevedra
- 3Asian Games (triathlon)Asia's multi-sport title; for India often the most reachable major medal.Every 4 years · Holder: Men's: Takumi Hojo
- 4Commonwealth Games (triathlon)A multi-sport title against the Commonwealth nations.Every 4 years · Holder: Men's: Alex Yee
India
- Triathlon at the Olympic Games: No medal
- World Triathlon Championships: No medal
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- AustraliaWorld Triathlon Championships: 20 golds, 17 silvers, 14 bronzes (latest 2026); Triathlon at the Commonwealth Games: 3 golds, 6 silvers, 10 bronzes (latest 2022)
- Great BritainTriathlon at the Olympic Games: 4 golds, 3 silvers, 4 bronzes (latest 2024); World Triathlon Championships: 18 golds, 12 silvers, 9 bronzes (latest 2026)
- United StatesTriathlon at the Olympic Games: 1 gold, 2 silvers, 2 bronzes (latest 2024); World Triathlon Championships: 8 golds, 9 silvers, 14 bronzes (latest 2022)
- SpainTriathlon at the Olympic Games: 1 silver (latest 2012); World Triathlon Championships: 9 golds, 9 silvers, 4 bronzes (latest 2019)
- FranceTriathlon at the Olympic Games: 1 gold, 2 bronzes (latest 2024); World Triathlon Championships: 7 golds, 4 silvers, 6 bronzes (latest 2026)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | World Triathlon, Competition Rules, 2026 edition with amendments to 29 April 2026 |
| International federation | World Triathlon |
| In India | Indian Triathlon Federation: recognised, on the MYAS list for 2026 (entry 16; checked 2026-10-08). |
Where and when it is played
In open water, on roads and through a transition area where athletes change between the three. The big events: the Olympic Games every four years (individual and mixed relay) and the World Triathlon Championship Series and its final every year.