Part 1: Introduction

World Triathlon is the sole governing body responsible for the Competition Rules for triathlon, duathlon and related multisports.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.1 a (Introduction) · recall

The World Triathlon Technical Committee ensures technical aspects of World Triathlon competitions are of the highest quality.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.1 b (Introduction) · recall

The rules of FINA, UCI, World Athletics, FIS and the IPC para bodies apply in their own segments unless the Technical Committee decides otherwise.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.1 c (Introduction) · applied

The World Triathlon Event Organisers' Manual and its related documents set safety and logistical standards for hosts.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.1 d (Introduction) · recall

Technical Officials are certified to the standards of the World Triathlon Technical Officials' Certification Programme.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.1 e (Introduction) · recall

The rules aim at fair play, safety, room for skill, and penalising athletes who gain an unfair advantage.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.2 (Introduction) · recall

Any difficulty in interpreting or applying the Competition Rules is referred to the World Triathlon Technical Committee.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.2 (Introduction) · applied

World Triathlon governs the rules; the host federation and the local organiser run the event to its standards.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.1 a, d (Introduction) · applied

In winter triathlon the run follows World Athletics, the mountain bike leg the UCI and the ski leg the FIS, unless World Triathlon rules say otherwise.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.1 c (Introduction) · applied

In the swim segment the rules of the international swimming federation (FINA) apply unless the Technical Committee decides otherwise.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.1 c (Introduction) · applied

The official language of World Triathlon Events is English.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.3 a (Introduction) · recall

National Federations are responsible for translation to and from English for their own athletes.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.3 a (i) (Introduction) · recall

Local Organising Committees communicate at least in English, even if another language is used alongside.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.3 a (ii) (Introduction) · applied

Officials judge on whether an advantage not intended by the rules has been gained.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.4 b (Introduction) · recall

An exception must be requested in writing 30 days before the event to the Technical Committee, through the assigned Technical Delegate.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.5 b (Introduction) · recall

The written request goes to the Technical Committee through the assigned Technical Delegate.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.5 b-c (Introduction) · recall

A permanent panel has one person each from the Technical Committee, World Triathlon staff and the event rights holder.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.5 e (Introduction) · recall

Exceptions come only with prior approval, requested in writing 30 days ahead through the Technical Delegate.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.5 b (Introduction) · recall

English is the official language; each federation translates for its own athletes.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.3 a (Introduction) · applied

Exception requests must reach the Technical Committee in writing 30 days before the event; 10 days is too late.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.5 b (Introduction) · applied

A Technical Delegate may approve additional specific regulations for a particular competition, under conditions.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.6 a (Introduction) · recall

It must be available in writing and announced at the athletes' briefing.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.6 a (ii) (Introduction) · recall

The regulation and the reasons for it go to the Technical Committee one week before the event day.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.6 a (iii) (Introduction) · recall

Each specific regulation must not conflict with any other World Triathlon Competition Rule.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.6 a (i) (Introduction) · applied

Athlete data entered into any World Triathlon event and the data produced, including results, belong exclusively to World Triathlon.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.7 a (Introduction) · recall

An unauthorised exception or addition prevents an event from being sanctioned and invalidates a sanction already granted.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.8 a (Introduction) · applied

Rule changes are advised in writing to the National Federations at least 30 days before they take effect.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.9 (Introduction) · recall

Approval on site, a report upward, then word to the athletes before they race.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.6 a (Introduction) · applied

Rules change at the Technical Committee's discretion with Executive Board approval, and federations get 30 days' written notice.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.9 (Introduction) · recall

Two days falls short of the seven-day notice, so the paperwork alone does not make it valid.

Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 1.6 a (iii) (Introduction) · applied