Triathlon

A triathlon is a single race comprising three consecutive disciplines — swimming, cycling and running — timed from start to finish, including the transitions. In the Olympic distance, competitors swim 1,500 metres, cycle 40 kilometres and run 10 kilometres; in the mixed relay, four athletes — two men and two women — take turns over shorter legs, giving the event the pace of a pursuit race. The sport originated in California in the 1970s: the first documented race took place in 1974 in San Diego, whilst the Ironman was invented in Hawaii in 1978, turning it into a global phenomenon. The international federation was founded in 1989 and the sport made its Olympic debut at Sydney 2000; the mixed relay was added to the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020. Transitions are part of the race and can be the difference between winning and losing a medal: changing kit, mounting the bike and setting off again in a matter of seconds requires specific training. In races where drafting is permitted on the cycling leg, the final run often proves decisive, with middle-distance sprints following two hours of exertion. At the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto in 2026, the triathlon will take place from 29 to 31 August on the Taranto city circuit, between the sea and the seafront, with three titles up for grabs: the men’s individual, women’s individual and mixed relay events.

• 1Three consecutive disciplines — swimming, cycling, running — with the stopwatch running the whole time
• 2Transitions are part of the race: the helmet must be fastened before touching the bike
• 3Olympic distance: 1,500 m swim, 40 km cycle, 10 km run
• 4Mixed relay: four athletes (two men and two women) over shorter legs
• 5Three titles up for grabs in Taranto from 29 to 31 August on the city circuit