# Part 12: Protests (World Triathlon Competition Rules)

Triathlon · Part 12: Protests · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/triathlon/laws/part-12-protests/)

Who may protest and about what, protest deadlines in elite and age-group races, the protest form and fee, the jury's training, powers, hearings and decisions, and the Technical Committee's results revision.

## 12.121 Making a Protest

Who may protest and about what, deadlines in elite and age-group races, the protest form and fee.

### Test 1: Who may protest and about what

- A protest may be started by an entered athlete or an accredited National Federation representative. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.3 a (Protests))
- Protests are identified as Level 1; appeals come at Level 2 and Level 3. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.1 b (Protests))
- Eligibility, start lists, field of play, conduct, equipment, officials' decisions and results errors can be protested. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.2 (Protests))
- Field of play conditions are protestable, except when the race could not be held in its original format due to force majeure. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.2 c (Protests))
- Such protests are judged on the correctness of the time penalty, not on the disqualification itself. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.1 c (Protests))
- A protest may be made against another athlete, a Technical Official, a coach or any accredited personnel, or the Head Referee's decisions. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.1 a (Protests))
- Decisions can be protested except a drafting violation and a time penalty already served. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.2 h (Protests))
- The athlete announces and lodges it with the Head Referee, who passes it to the jury for a decision. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.3, 12.5 d-e, 12.7 a (Protests))
- The protest is announced, the form is lodged with the Head Referee, and the Head Referee presents the case to the jury chair. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4, 12.5 d-e (Protests))
- The desk turns it away: drafting calls are outside what a protest can challenge. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.2 h (Protests))

### Test 2: Deadlines in elite races

- Eligibility, start list and field of play protests must be announced before 20:00 local time the day before. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (i)-(iii) (Protests))
- The protest form must follow within a further 15 minutes. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (i) (Protests))
- Elite: within 5 minutes of the later of the protester's and the other athlete's finish. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (iv) (Protests))
- The clock runs from the later of the protester's finish and the respondent's finish. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (iv) (Protests))
- Elite results protests: within 5 minutes of posting, and the form within a further 15 minutes. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (ix) (Protests))
- Briefing decisions may be protested no later than 2 hours before the competition starts. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (viii) 3 (Protests))
- The 5 minutes run from the later of the protester's finish and the posting of the decision. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (viii) (Protests))
- Eligibility: before 20:00 the day before; briefing: up to 2 hours before the start; conduct: within 5 minutes of the finish. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (Protests))
- Announce within 5 minutes of the later finish, then lodge the form within a further 15 minutes. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (iv) (Protests))
- Elite: within 5 minutes of the later finish, 10:44, so by 10:49. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (iv) (Protests))

### Test 3: Deadlines in age-group races

- Age-group protesters get three times the elite window to announce, and twice as long for the form. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (iv) 2 (Protests))
- The age-group form window is double the elite one. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (iv) 2 (Protests))
- Protests about officials, coaches or accredited staff run from the end of the competition. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (vi) 2 (Protests))
- Age-group results protests may also go to World Triathlon at sport@triathlon.org. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (ix) 2 (Protests))
- Emailed protests are accepted from 15 minutes after the end of the competition until 7 days after the results are published on triathlon.org. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (ix) 2 (Protests))
- Protests are not accepted unless started and lodged within the relevant timeline. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (Protests))
- Only someone with a stake in the race, the athlete or their accredited federation, may raise it. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (Protests))
- 15 minutes, 30 minutes, then up to 7 days after results are published. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (ix) 2 (Protests))
- 5 minutes for elite, 15 minutes for age-group, then 30 more minutes for the age-group form. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (ix) (Protests))
- Posted at 12:00, announced by 12:15, then thirty more minutes: 12:45. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4 a (ix) 2 (Protests))

### Test 4: The protest form and fee

- The protest form may be obtained from the Head Referee. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.5 a (Protests))
- A fee of 50 USD, or the equivalent in another currency, accompanies the form. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.5 b (Protests))
- Emailed protests must include proof that the fee was transferred to World Triathlon. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.5 b (Protests))
- The form includes a statement with a diagram if possible, the rule, time, place, people involved and witnesses. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.5 c (Protests))
- If the jury decides against the protester, the fee is forwarded to World Triathlon. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 f (Protests))
- The Head Referee is the single entry point for protests at the event. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.5 d-e (Protests))
- Once a protest has been lodged with the jury, no further protest may be lodged for the same matter. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 g (Protests))
- The rules list the competition first, then the protester, then the rule or decision at issue, and end with the witnesses and a summary of the facts. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.5 c (Protests))
- The fee is returned if the jury decides in favour of the protester. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.5 b, 12.9 f (Protests))
- A successful protest costs the protester nothing in the end. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 f (Protests))

## 12.122 Hearings and Results Revision

The jury's training and powers, the hearing, the decision and appeals, and results revision by the Technical Committee.

### Test 1: The jury's training and powers

- Jury members complete an online training module on the World Triathlon Education & Knowledge Hub before the briefing day. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.6 a (iii) (Protests))
- The completion certificate is valid until the end of the following calendar year. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.6 a (iii) (Protests))
- A jury member must not also be a member of the local organising committee in any capacity at the same event. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.6 a (v) (Protests))
- After a protest the jury may modify the results, but it may not take the time of a served penalty off the final time. A penalty that was never served ends in disqualification, and there the jury can uphold the protest, drop the penalty and reverse the disqualification (3.9 d). (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.7 b (Protests))
- The chair files written minutes for all protests within seven days of the decisions. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.7 c (Protests))
- The jury may meet in person, online or a mix of both, as the chair decides. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 b (Protests))
- The jury decides on all protests made to it that comply with the relevant timeline. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.7 a (Protests))
- The module and certificate must be done before the briefing day of the competition. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.6 a (iii) (Protests))
- Minutes are filed within seven days and sent to World Triathlon with the protest form. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.7 c, 12.9 e (Protests))
- Finished in 2026, so it holds through the whole of 2027. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.6 a (iii) (Protests))

### Test 2: The hearing

- The protester and respondent and/or one representative of their federation may be present; the hearing is not public. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (i), (iv) (Protests))
- The hearing is not open to the public. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (iv) (Protests))
- The chair accepts the protest if it was received within the timeline and concerns a matter that may be protested. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (vii) (Protests))
- Witnesses, if the chair permits, may speak for up to three minutes each. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (xi) (Protests))
- The jury considers the evidence and expert opinion and decides by simple majority. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (xiv) (Protests))
- The decision is given immediately to the parties present and in writing on request. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (xv) (Protests))
- A representative may appear on behalf of the protester or respondent if the chair permits. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (iii) (Protests))
- The chair explains, reads the protest, rules on its acceptance, then presents the evidence. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (v)-(viii) (Protests))
- The parties give their accounts, then witnesses, then other affected parties, and the jury may invite experts. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (ix)-(xiii) (Protests))
- If a party fails to attend, the jury may make its decision in their absence. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (ii) (Protests))

### Test 3: The decision and what follows

- Decisions to uphold or impose a penalty are based on the comfortable satisfaction of the majority that the violation occurred. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.8 a (v) (Protests))
- Jury decisions made under the Competition Rules are field of play decisions. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 h (Protests))
- Competition Jury decisions may be appealed to the World Triathlon Tribunal. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 i (Protests))
- The jury must consider all submissions and expert opinions made to it. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.8 a (i) (Protests))
- The chair of the Competition Jury is deemed not to have a conflict of interest. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.8 b (v) (Protests))
- In case of absence or conflict, the chair may appoint a replacement, keeping the jury's original size. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.8 b (ii)-(iv) (Protests))
- Two of three being comfortably satisfied is a majority, which is the standard needed. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.8 a (v); 12.9 d (xiv) (Protests))
- The jury's ruling can still be taken one level up. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 h-i (Protests))
- The protest is lodged with the Head Referee, decided by the jury, and may then be appealed to the Tribunal. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.5 d-e, 12.9 i (Protests))
- Two of three is a simple majority, so the protest is upheld. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.9 d (xiv) (Protests))

### Test 4: Revising results later

- The Technical Committee may revise results on the basis of new evidence. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.10 a (Protests))
- There is no time limit on the results revision process. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.10 b (Protests))
- Field of play decisions and matters dealt with by a jury may not be reopened under results revision. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.10 c (Protests))
- For results revision the Technical Committee follows the hearing procedure set out for the jury. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.10 e (Protests))
- Revised results are notified to affected federations and athletes and published by World Triathlon. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.10 f (Protests))
- Revision needs something the race itself did not show: fresh evidence. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.10 a (Protests))
- The Technical Committee decides by maintaining or modifying the competition results. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.10 d (Protests))
- New evidence, a hearing, a decision to maintain or modify, then notification and publication. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.10 (Protests))
- Venue protests run in minutes, emailed age-group protests within 7 days, and results revision has no time limit. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.4, 12.10 (Protests))
- The results revision process has no time limit, as long as the matter was not a field of play decision. (Source: World Triathlon Competition Rules (January 2025), 12.10 b (Protests))

Sources: World Triathlon Competition Rules, January 2025, Part 12 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the rules, not reproduced)

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