2008 Beijing Olympics Triathlon: A Crash Course

by Jim P.

olympic triathlons, transitions, triathlons, women athletes

Are you ready for the 2008 USA Olympics?!?

With just a few days to go, I thought it might be helpful to break down the details on the 2008 Beijing Olympics triathlon competition.

Olympics Triathlon Facts

Triathlon debuted in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney along with taekwondo.

Brigette McMahon (SUI) and Simon Whitfield (CAN) won triathlon’s first Olympic gold medals.

The 2008 men’s USA Olympic triathlon team consists of:

The females on the USA triathlon team include:

Here’s the complete list of 2008 Olympics triathlon participants.

The Olympic distance triathlon in Beijing is 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and a 10km run.

The men’s and women’s triathlon competition will be held at the Ming Tomb Reservoir in northern Beijing. Competitors will begin the competition by diving into the reservoir and swimming one long lap.

The cycling and running portions of the event will take place on the reservoir dam and the roads surrounding the area. The cycling is a 6-lap course, and the run a 4-lap course.

The clock doesn’t stop for transitions, so the first person to complete the full course is the winner.

Here are some options for following the triathlon happenings of the 2008 Olympics:

Check out these tips for how to enjoy the 2008 Olympics and how to watch the 2008 Olympics.

Okay, from this moment forward put your Olympic game face on, and get in the Olympic spirit!!

And finally, this one’s for all you newbies who think “just finishing” isn’t a worthy goal: