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Triathlon · Competition Rules

Part 10: Events

2 parts · 8 tests · 80 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

Water quality, heat and the WBGT flags, current and lightning, start wave sizes, split age-group waves, bike course and support-team rules, start times and cut-off times.

10.101Safety and Environment

Water testing and water quality decisions, heat and the WBGT flags, heat decisions, current and lightning.

Test 1Testing the waterTake a test

  1. Samples come from three different locations and are analysed separately.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.1 a (i) (Events) · recall

  2. The poorest of the separately analysed results determines whether the swim can go ahead.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.1 a (i) (Events) · recall

  3. Both sea and inland water need a pH between 6 and 9.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.1 a (i) (Events) · recall

  4. E. coli is the best indicator for inland water; enterococci are the best for sea water.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 e (Events) · recall

  5. For sea water the enterococci count is the preferred indicator.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 e (Events) · recall

  6. Results received more than seven days after sample collection are not accepted.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 a (ii) (Events) · applied

  7. Strong greenish colour, turbidity and transparency under 0.5 m require the cyanobacteria test even without visible scum.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.1 a (i) (Events) · applied

  8. Tests are due two months and seven days before, plus one on the first day for statistics only.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 a (i) (Events) · recall

  9. Two days, four days, then a week: the last is the hard limit for a result to count.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 a (ii) (Events) · applied

  10. The poorest result decides, so the one sample over the limit settles it.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.1 a (i) (Events) · applied

Test 2Water quality decisionsTake a test

  1. Decisions combine the visual sanitary inspection, water quality analysis and weather forecasts.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 b (Events) · recall

  2. Visibility of more than one metre is expected, unless natural circumstances reduce it.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 c (Events) · recall

  3. The inspection checks for oil, smell of phenol, abnormal colour, garbage, discharges, bird colonies and algal blooms.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 c (Events) · recall

  4. The World Triathlon Technical Delegate and/or the assigned Medical Delegate check the water quality indicators.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 c (Events) · recall

  5. At level 3 or 4 the swim proceeds only if the Events' Water Quality Evaluation Panel permits it by simple majority.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 h (Events) · applied

  6. Levels run from 1 (very good) through 2 (good) and 3 (fair) to 4 (poor).

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 f-g (Events) · recall

  7. Out-of-limit results cancel the swim unless World Triathlon's Medical and Anti-Doping Committee permits it.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.1 a (ii) (Events) · recall

  8. Level 1 very good, 2 good, 3 fair, 4 poor.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 f-g (Events) · recall

  9. Analysis and inspection give a level; at 3 or 4 the panel decides by simple majority.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 f-h (Events) · applied

  10. A simple majority of six means at least four votes.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 h (Events) · applied

Test 3Heat and the WBGT flagsTake a test

  1. All WBGT measurements are taken at the finish area.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 a (Events) · recall

  2. Measurements run every 30 minutes from three hours before the start.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 a (Events) · recall

  3. Readings start three hours before the start of the competition.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 a (Events) · recall

  4. The device sits in direct sunlight 1.5 m above the ground.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 a (Events) · recall

  5. Black above 32.2 C is extreme; red very high, orange high, blue moderate, green low.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 b (Events) · recall

  6. Below 25.7 C the risk is low and the flag is green.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 b (Events) · recall

  7. The Medical Delegate or, if absent, the Race Medical Director measures the index.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 a (Events) · recall

  8. The five colours climb from low to extreme risk.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 b (Events) · recall

  9. The WBGT index is measured at regular intervals, converted to a flag and announced in writing.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 a-b (Events) · applied

  10. 31.0 C falls in the 30.1-32.2 C band: very high risk, red flag.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 b (Events) · applied

Test 4Heat decisions, current and lightningTake a test

  1. With a red flag and adequate medical cover, standard distance changes to sprint; sprint and shorter stay as planned.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 c (i) (Events) · applied

  2. Sprint is already the shortened format, so under red it keeps its planned course.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 c (i) (Events) · applied

  3. Without adequate medical assistance under a red flag, the competition must be rescheduled.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 c (ii) (Events) · applied

  4. At extreme risk (black flag) sprint and standard races must be rescheduled or cancelled.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 d (Events) · applied

  5. The Technical Delegate may change the swim distance or cancel it because of current or other safety concerns.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.4 a (Events) · recall

  6. With lightning approaching, the race is stopped, the venue evacuated and athletes taken to a safe area.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.5 a (Events) · recall

  7. Activities may resume thirty minutes after the last lightning.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.5 a (Events) · recall

  8. Up to orange nothing changes; red turns standard into sprint; black means reschedule or cancel.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 b-d (Events) · applied

  9. Stop, evacuate to a safe area, then wait thirty minutes after the last lightning.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.5 a (Events) · applied

  10. All three conditions of the red-flag rule are met here, so the distance comes down.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 c (i) (Events) · applied

10.102Technical Rules

Start wave sizes, split age-group waves, bike course, transition and support teams, start times and cut-off times.

Test 1How many start togetherTake a test

  1. The start limit for WTCS elite races is 55.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events) · recall

  2. World Cups allow 65 elite athletes per start.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events) · recall

  3. Middle and long distance allow 500 age-groupers per start; standard and shorter allow 200.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events) · recall

  4. Middle- and long-distance events allow 100 elite athletes per start.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events) · recall

  5. The Technical Delegate may apply lower limits than those indicated.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events) · recall

  6. Long-distance races may have larger groups for water starts after Technical Delegate approval.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events) · applied

  7. The limits exist to ensure the safety of the athletes.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events) · recall

  8. 55, 65 and 100.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events) · recall

  9. Elite World Cup fields are the smallest here; age-group limits rise from standard to long races.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events) · recall

  10. Standard and shorter age-group waves hold up to 200 athletes.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events) · applied

Test 2Splitting an age group into wavesTake a test

  1. Both or all waves get a similar number of athletes.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (i) (Events) · recall

  2. Athletes of the same federation are split randomly across the waves in similar numbers.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (ii) (Events) · recall

  3. The champion is the athlete with the quickest time, whichever wave they started in.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (iv) (Events) · recall

  4. The results contain the athletes of both waves sorted by times.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (v) (Events) · recall

  5. The waves of the same age group start one immediately after the other.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (vi) (Events) · recall

  6. Waves of a split age group do not include athletes from a different age group.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (vii) (Events) · recall

  7. Single athletes, and the extra one from odd numbers, go where they keep the waves balanced.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (iii) (Events) · applied

  8. Even waves, back-to-back starts, one combined result list.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (Events) · applied

  9. Athletes of one federation are spread evenly and at random; the odd one out keeps the numbers balanced.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (ii)-(iii) (Events) · applied

  10. 2:03:48 beats 2:05:10, and waves do not matter for the title.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (iv) (Events) · applied

Test 3Bike course, transition and support teamsTake a test

  1. The Technical Delegate determines the position of the mount and dismount lines.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.7 a (Events) · recall

  2. A 10% tolerance is accepted with the Technical Delegate's approval; middle and long distance allow 5%.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.8 a (Events) · recall

  3. In middle- and long-distance events the tolerance is limited to 5%.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.8 a (Events) · recall

  4. Middle and long distance: one penalty box every 30 km; standard and shorter: one every 10 km.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.8 b (Events) · recall

  5. People entered as coaches or medical staff must complete the Anti-Doping Education course.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.9 a (Events) · recall

  6. With a quota of 3 or higher, different genders must be represented, or the quota drops by one.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.9 b (Events) · recall

  7. Support personnel are approved seven days before the event; no additions are allowed after that.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.9 e (Events) · recall

  8. Elite teams get 2, 3 or 4 coaches as the number of athletes grows.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.9 b (i) (Events) · recall

  9. 10 km, 30 km and a 40 km standard bike course.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.8 b (Events) · recall

  10. Forty kilometres divided by ten gives four boxes; two is not enough.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.8 b (Events) · applied

Test 4Start times and cut-off timesTake a test

  1. WTCS sprint races need 1 h 45 min between the two genders; standard distance needs 2 h 45 min.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.10 a (Events) · recall

  2. In triathlon and duathlon middle and long distance, 5 minutes separate the starts.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.10 a (Events) · recall

  3. Elite events after age-group events start only once the age-group events have finished.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.10 a (Events) · recall

  4. The gap may be reduced if men and women will not be on the bike segment at the same time.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.10 b (Events) · recall

  5. With fewer than 10 athletes in one event and enough officials to watch for drafting, the gap may drop to five minutes.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.10 c (Events) · applied

  6. The Technical Delegate may determine a cut-off for the whole race or any intermediate point.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.12 a (Events) · recall

  7. A cut-off time must be announced at least 30 days before registration closes.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.12 b (Events) · recall

  8. 5 minutes, 1 h 45 min and 2 h 45 min.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.10 a (Events) · recall

  9. Setting it comes first, and athletes must know it well before entries close.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.12 (Events) · applied

  10. Counting back 30 days from 1 June lands on 2 May.

    Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.12 b (Events) · applied

Sources

World Triathlon Competition Rules, January 2025, Part 10 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the rules, not reproduced)

  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 a (Events)10
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.1 a (i) (Events)5
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 a (Events)5
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 b (Events)4
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.10 a (Events)4
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 c (Events)3
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 c (i) (Events)3
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.5 a (Events)3
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.8 b (Events)3
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 e (Events)2
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 a (ii) (Events)2
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 h (Events)2
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 f-g (Events)2
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (iv) (Events)2
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.8 a (Events)2
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.12 b (Events)2
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 a (i) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 b (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.1 a (ii) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.2 f-h (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 a-b (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 c (ii) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 d (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.4 a (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.3 b-d (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (i) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (ii) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (v) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (vi) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (vii) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (iii) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.6 b (ii)-(iii) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.7 a (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.9 a (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.9 b (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.9 e (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.9 b (i) (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.10 b (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.10 c (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.12 a (Events)1
  • World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 10.12 (Events)1