Triathlon Mixed Relays have been included on the programme for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee announced on Friday June 9 the new events added for the next Olympics, which include Triathlon Mixed Relays.
In August 2020, the Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo will host the triathlon events during the next Olympics, where triathletes will have the opportunity to win medals in three Olympic events. The Mixed Relays feature teams of two men and two women completing each a short-course triathlon (300m swim, 8km bike, 2km run) before tagging off to their teammate to take over. With its rapid and unpredictable format, athletes love it and spectators enjoy it both onsite and on television, making it one of the most spectacular formats of the circuit.
The Mixed Relays are already included in the programme of the Youth Olympic Games, the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, and have been recently added on the programme for the PanAmerican Games to be held in Lima 2018. The next World Championship will be held in Hamburg (Germany) on July 16.
Marisol Casado, President of ITU and IOC Member, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this decision. We’ve been pushing for the Mixed Relays to be included in the Programme for quite a long time, as it is an event that gives the sport something very important: a sense of team building. But most important, is an event that demonstrates that women and men can compete together but both are equally important to the success of the team.”
IOC President, Mr Thomas Bach, said: The fascinating new vents that we approved today, together with the five new sports that were added to the Tokyo 2020 programme last year, represent a step-change in the Olympic programme. I am delighted that the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 will be more youthful, more urban and will include more women”
British Triathlon CEO, Jack Buckner said: “The Mixed Relay at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games was truly spectacular and we’re all delighted that the IOC has given our sport the opportunity to show off Triathlon Mixed Relays to a global audience in on the biggest stage in sport.”
Closer to home, Mixed Relays will feature in Nottingham on 2 September at the British Triathlon Mixed Relay Cup, a new event that will feature live on BBC One. Twenty domestic and international teams will take part in the inaugural event along the banks of the River Trent.
Find out more about the British Triathlon Mixed Relay Cup at www.britishtriathlon.org/mixedrelaycup - including information about the 20 elite teams and how to to get the best view of the action this September.
