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Triathlon was created
In the 1920s in France, the first modern-age triathlon occurred. It involved a 3-kilometer run, a 12-km bike, and a swim across the Marne Channel. This changed triathlons because it literally sparked the sport itself. Without this event in history, triathlons might not have existed. (www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-triathlon.htm) -
"First" triathlon in America
The Mission Bay Triathlon was held on September 25, 1974, in San Diego. This may not have been the very first triathlon in America but it's the first recorded triathlon ever. This changed the sport of triathlon because it had now reached the US where it grew to become a major sport. (www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-triathlon.htm) -
First IronMan
The first ever IronMan was in Hawaii. This race at first consisted of three separate events; the Waikiki Rough Water Swim (2.4 miles), the Oahu Bike Race (112 miles), and The Honolulu Marathon (26.2 miles). These events were put together in 1978 to create the Hawaii IronMan Triathlon. This event is important because it showed that competing in triathlons could be a life goal. (www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-triathlon.htm) -
USAT Formed
USAT (USA Triathlon) was formed in 1978 after U.S. Triathlon Association and American Triathlon Association combined. This group helps run over 2000 triathlons each year. It has become the largest multi sport organization in the world. This event is important because without these groups like USAT the organization and control of Triathlons would be very poor. (www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-triathlon.htm) -
ITU was founded
In 1989, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) was formed in Avignon, France. This organization helped create the first world championships for triathlons. This event is important because it helped create a world-wide importance of triathlons. (www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-triathlon.htm) -
Iron War
Mark Allen and Dave Scott were neck and neck in the 1989 IronMan Kona Triathlon. Dave Scott had dominated the 80s; this was Mark Allen's first win. Mark Allen also beat the previous IronMan record by 30 minutes. This is important because there rivalry raised the level of competition in the sport. (www.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2014/10/kona-week/iron-war.aspx) -
First Triathlon held in the Olympics
The first triathlon ever held in the Olympics was in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. This is an important event in triathlon history because it shows the popularity of triathlons growing since it is now considered an Olympic sport. (www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-triathlon.htm) -
Iron Nun (Sister Madonna Buder)
Sister Madonna Buder is a nun who has completed 45 IronMan's, and at the Hawaii IronMan Triathlon in 2005 she became the oldest women ever to complete the race. She was 75. This event is important because is shows that people of all ages and sizes can compete in triathlons. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_Buder
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Gwen Jorgensen wins gold in Rio Olympics
Gwen Jorgensen was the first United States female to win gold in the Olympic triathlons history. This happened last year (2016). The importance of this event is that Gwen Jorgensen is the first United States female to ever win a medal in the Olympic triathlons history. (www.gwenjorgensen.com/blog/2016-rio-olympics) -
Austin Hindman wins ITU World Championship and breaks XC record
Austin Hindman got first place at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Cozumel (Junior Men). He also broke the state cross country record. This event is important because he is from Missouri, like us, and is still is in high school and is breaking state XC records and winning world triathlons. (wts.triathlon.org/athletes/profile/80666/austin_hindman)
