Triathlon · Level 9
Master
5 sub-levels · 50 tests · 500 facts · updated 12 October 2026
Level 9 is the history and culture of triathlon: its origins, the IRONMAN World Championship and its legends, Olympic and Paralympic triathlon, the governing bodies and business of the sport, and its iconic races and culture.
Sub-levels
Sub-level 9.1Origins and the Early YearsHow the sport began: Mission Bay 1974, the birth of Ironman, the first boom years and television, the move to Kona, Julie Moss and 1982, triathlon in Europe, the standard distance and the first world championships,…10 tests · 100 factsSub-level 9.2The IRONMAN World Championship: Legends and RecordsThe champions and records of Kona and beyond: Paula Newby-Fraser, the men and women of the 1990s and 2000s, champions from 2007 to 2019, Daniela Ryf and the modern women, the moves and split races of the 2020s,…10 tests · 100 factsSub-level 9.3Olympic and Paralympic Triathlon HistoryTriathlon at the Games: the road to Sydney, the champions of Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris, Paralympic triathlon history, and the Olympic format and youth pathways.10 tests · 100 factsSub-level 9.4Governing Bodies, Series and the Business of the SportWho runs triathlon and how it is paid for: World Triathlon, the WTCS, IRONMAN's owners and growth, the PTO and T100, Challenge and other brands, national federations, the business of racing, media, equality, and…10 tests · 100 factsSub-level 9.5Iconic Races and Triathlon CultureThe races and culture that define the sport: Challenge Roth, Norseman, Escape from Alcatraz, extreme and adventure races, Kona race week, clubs and community, the language of triathlon, famous modern moments, ultra…10 tests · 100 facts
Written from
Official histories and results of IRONMAN, World Triathlon and the IOC, with established histories of the sport
- IRONMAN, History of the IRONMAN World Championship (ironman.com)
- Olympic results archive (olympics.com)
- IRONMAN World Championship results archive (ironman.com)
- Tinley, Triathlon: A Personal History (2008)
- World Triathlon, History of the sport (triathlon.org)
- World Triathlon, About and history (triathlon.org)
- The IRONMAN Group, corporate history (ironman.com)
- Norseman Xtreme Triathlon, About (nxtri.com)