Summer Olympic Events for the elite athletes

While a long way from an Ironman, the summer Olympic events now finally give elite athletes the opportunity to compete in a world class competition. The Triathlon actually dates back to the original Olympic Games but not in its current format. In the original Olympic Games, this multi-sport event included three different events, but not the three that we have now: swimming, cycling, and running.

This race in the Olympics is not an Ironman, make no doubt about it. Instead of swimming for 2.4 miles, you’re swimming for ½ mile. Instead of biking for 112 miles, you’re biking for 12.4 miles. And instead of running for 26.2 miles, you’re running for 3.1 miles.

 

Triathlon event allows the athlete to show their multiple talents and strengths

The shorter length for this race in the Olympics requires much thought into reducing transition times between swimming and biking and then from biking to running. Triathletes spend a lot of time planning and practicing their transitions in an attempt to shave their transition time on race day.

One big difference between professional Ironman and the multi-event that the Olympics hosted was how drafting during biking was treated. Previously drafting has always been considered a violation and subject to disqualification. For the summer Olympics in 2002, drafting during the bike event was considered legal behavior. Ironman aficionados are wondering how this decision will trickle down and affect events outside the Olympics.
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see also Timex Ironman