Olympic Triathlon

The Olympic Triathlon is a race consisting of three parts. A 1500m swim is followed by a 40km bicycle race. The last leg of the event is a 10km run.

The modern Triathlon originated in 1971 in San Diego, California, at the San Diego Track Club as a way to break up the routine of a runner's training. It was not until 1989 that the International Olympic Committee recognized Triathlon as an Olympic sport.Run the Planet: Historical Origin of the Triathlon Clear Lead: History of Triathlon

The Triathlon at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held near the big dam at the Ming Tomb Reservoir in northern Beijing on August 18 and August 19, 2008.Beijing 2008: Triathlon Time and Venue Emma Snowsill of Australia took home the gold medal in the women's event, while Jan Frodeno of Germany won the men's competition.NBC Olympics: Triathlon Medalists