The countdown is officially on.
With less than one year to go until the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Australia’s best triathletes are looking to secure a spot on the Australian Olympic Team at this week’s Olympic Test Event in Paris.
When are the Paris 2024 Triathlon Races?
The Olympic triathlon competition at Paris 2024 will take place over three days.
Men: Tuesday 30 July 2024
Women: Wednesday 31 July 2024
Mixed Team Relay: Monday 5 August 2024
Both the men’s and women’s individual competitions will take place over the Olympic distance, compromising of a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run. There are no heats, with each competition decided by a single race.
The mixed relay competition will see teams of four – two women and two men – compete over a shortened course, making for a fast and furious race that is as exciting as they come.
The course will see athletes swim in the River Seine, cycle along the Champs-Élysées and run through the heart of Paris.
All three events will start at 08:00AM local time (4:00PM AEST).
How many athletes can qualify for the Games?
There are 110 spots in Paris up for grabs (55 for each gender), with countries earning quota places in competitions and based on rankings in the lead up to the Games.
The maximum spots any country can earn is three per gender.
Only once, for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, has Australia failed to earn the maximum quota places.
How athletes will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Triathlon:
There are three automatic selection events in 2023 and 2024 for individual triathlon:
Nomination Event 1 – Olympic Test Event, Paris | 17-18 August
To be automatically selected, an athlete must finish in the top-eight at the Paris Olympic Test Event.
In the event that more than two athletes finish in the top-8, the highest two finishers will receive the nod.
Nomination Event 2 – World Triathlon Championship Final, Pontevedra | 22-24 September
If an athlete finishes in the top-eight at the WTCS Final in Pontevedra in September, they can also earn their slot.
Only one athlete can qualify this way so if more than one finishes in the top-eight, the best performer will be taken.
If an athlete who achieves the result in the event has already secured their spot at the Olympic Test Event in Paris, the next highest placed athlete meeting the criterion will be nominated.
Nomination Event 3 – Sprint WTCS Race or Standard WTCS Race | TBC
If any slots remain after the Paris and Pontevedra events, athletes will have a final opportunity to earn automatic nomination.
If they achieve a top-five at a sprint distance WTCS race or a top-eight at an Olympic distance WTCS race to be determined between March and May 2024, they can secure their place. The events will be decided when World Triathlon release the calendar for 2024.
If an athlete who achieves the result in the event has already secured their spot at the Olympic Test Event in Paris or the WTCF in Pontevedra, the next highest placed athlete meeting the criterion will be nominated.
Discretionary Nomination Process:
Any remaining team spots will be filled by the Triathlon Australia Elite Selection Committee (TAESC) via discretionary nomination.
The TAESC will consider other performances and factors for discretionary nominations. They will assess athletes’ performances in races during the qualifying period, their ability to contribute to the team, their past achievements, and other relevant considerations.
Click here to read the full Triathlon Australia Paris 2024 Olympic Games Nomination Criteria.
