The dates are confirmed – triathlon’s test events for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held on 1-2 August next year, with qualification points up for grabs and huge crowds expected.
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The routes will take athletes along Copacabana beach on the restaurant-lined Avenida Atlantica, with the Olympic course also climbing through local neighbourhoods – along the same route as the real thing in 2016.
The 2015 Rio de Janeiro ITU World Olympic Qualification Event will feature a start list of 75 men and women, and will offer the maximum level of Olympic qualification points available, putting it on par with the World Triathlon Series Grand Final. Neither prize money nor ITU World Cup or World Triathlon Series points will be available at the test event however.
Speaking to 220 this morning, top British athlete Jodie Stimpson said: “I had heard a few people talking about the possibility of a world cup test event being held in August and am really excited to be able to go over and race on the course that will be the next Olympic course. Next year for me is all about trying to get on the Olympic team so going to race the test event obviously will play a big part in that plan.”
2013 WTS champ Non Stanford added: “It’ll be great to finally race on the proposed 2016 Olympic course. It will more than likely stand as a selection race for TeamGB athletes too, so it will be a key event in our calendar. The course also looks really exciting; the bike is technical and hilly which is great news for us.”
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The 2015 Rio de Janeiro ITU World Paratriathlon Event will mimic the Paralympic Games course, with a minimum of 60 athletes set to participate. Qualification criteria for the test event will match that of a World Paratriathlon Event, and points earned at the race will go towards both Paralympic Qualification and ITU World Paratriathon Rankings.
Following this morning’s news that triathlon’s test events for the Rio 2016 Olympics will take place on 1-2 August next year, 220 columnist Tim Heming offers his thoughts…
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It’s clearly not been easy to secure a date and fix the course for the necessary test event for Rio and the ITU are cutting it fine.
They have ensured it will be a strong field by making it a Level 1 Olympic qualifier, but ideally this race would have been confirmed at the end of the summer so it could take its rightful place in the World Series.
Instead, it will now not be part of the Series, and has been crowbarred in alongside the 10 existing events, up from eight in 2013 and seven from 2012.
It really throws a spanner in for preplanned World Series schedules, splitting up the three European races and adding to the extensive and expensive travel from Abu Dhabi to Australasia, Japan, Europe and North America.
On the plus side, we really are now witnessing a global series and athletes do not have to compete in every ITU event and can still gain maximum World Series or Olympic qualification points.
What it will do is whet the appetite for 2016. The Copacabana backdrop will offer some stunning vistas and let’s hope the course throws in enough challenging hills on the bike to make it a real test.
It’s an equally exciting time for Paratriathlon, a debut test event, ahead of a debut games, whose crusading competitors will relish the opportunity.
It doesn’t seem many months since thousands crammed into Hyde Park for one of the spectacles of 2012. With this announcement, Rio has been brought fully into focus. It’s set to be a busy and intriguing year of racing. Let the fun and Games begin.
(Main image: Mteixeira62)
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Do you think they got the dates right for next year? Let us know in the comments below!
Following this morning’s news that triathlon’s test events for the Rio 2016 Olympics will take place on 1-2 August next year, 220 columnist Tim Heming offers his thoughts…
Advertisement
It’s clearly not been easy to secure a date and fix the course for the necessary test event for Rio and the ITU are cutting it fine.
They have ensured it will be a strong field by making it a Level 1 Olympic qualifier, but ideally this race would have been confirmed at the end of the summer so it could take its rightful place in the World Series.
Instead, it will now not be part of the Series, and has been crowbarred in alongside the 10 existing events, up from eight in 2013 and seven from 2012.
It really throws a spanner in for preplanned World Series schedules, splitting up the three European races and adding to the extensive and expensive travel from Abu Dhabi to Australasia, Japan, Europe and North America.
On the plus side, we really are now witnessing a global series and athletes do not have to compete in every ITU event and can still gain maximum World Series or Olympic qualification points.
What it will do is whet the appetite for 2016. The Copacabana backdrop will offer some stunning vistas and let’s hope the course throws in enough challenging hills on the bike to make it a real test.
It’s an equally exciting time for Paratriathlon, a debut test event, ahead of a debut games, whose crusading competitors will relish the opportunity.
It doesn’t seem many months since thousands crammed into Hyde Park for one of the spectacles of 2012. With this announcement, Rio has been brought fully into focus. It’s set to be a busy and intriguing year of racing. Let the fun and Games begin.
(Main image: Mteixeira62)
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Do you think they got the dates right for next year? Let us know in the comments below!
Eton Dorney – known as one of the flattest and fastest triathlon tracks in the UK – has been chosen to host a qualifying event for the 2015 ITU Sprint Distance Triathlon World Championships.
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The Eton Sprints will take place on 23 May next year, sending athletes on a 750m swim in the famous rowing lake, followed by a 21.2km bike and a 5km run. This year, the three top finishers all posted sub-1hr times.
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To secure your spot at the Eton Sprints, head to www.humanrace.co.uk/triathlon.
Eton Dorney – known as one of the flattest and fastest triathlon tracks in the UK – has been chosen to host a qualifying event for the 2015 ITU Sprint Distance Triathlon World Championships.
The Eton Sprints will take place on 23 May next year, sending athletes on a 750m swim in the famous rowing lake, followed by a 21.2km bike and a 5km run. This year, the three top finishers all posted sub-1hr times.
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To secure your spot at the Eton Sprints, head to www.humanrace.co.uk/triathlon.
Sitting comfortably? This new performance cycling collection from Paul Smith looks superb for the growing ‘cycling chic’ niche, but the prices may give you palpitations.
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The Paul Smith 531 collection uses high-performance Swiss-made Schoeller 3xDRY fabric to fend off water while wicking moisture away from the body, and insulation and breathability is provided by 100% New Zealand Merino wool layers. Windproof front panels on items such as the gilet offer a shield against the driving wind.
Bright orange is a recurrent theme for many outer pieces like the gilets and jackets, along with subtle reflective stripes and reflective branding, whilst elsewhere there’s different shades of stealth black, dark purple and petrol blue.
To mark the launch, British cyclist and previous Paul Smith collaborator David Millar has been recruited to star in a launch film in which a group of riders puts the new clothing range through its paces.
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For more info on the new collection head to the Paul Smith 531 website.
Sitting comfortably? This new performance cycling collection from Paul Smith looks superb for the growing ‘cycling chic’ niche, but the prices may give you palpitations.
Advertisement
The Paul Smith 531 collection uses high-performance Swiss-made Schoeller 3xDRY fabric to fend off water while wicking moisture away from the body, and insulation and breathability is provided by 100% New Zealand Merino wool layers. Windproof front panels on items such as the gilet offer a shield against the driving wind.
Bright orange is a recurrent theme for many outer pieces like the gilets and jackets, along with subtle reflective stripes and reflective branding, whilst elsewhere there’s different shades of stealth black, dark purple and petrol blue.
To mark the launch, British cyclist and previous Paul Smith collaborator David Millar has been recruited to star in a launch film in which a group of riders puts the new clothing range through its paces.
Advertisement
For more info on the new collection head to the Paul Smith 531 website.
Australia’s all-conquering Kona queen Mirinda ‘Rinny’ Carfrae believes that she ‘still hasn’t reached her ceiling’ in terms of performance, and plans to keep returning to the Big Island.
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Replying to a 220 reader’s question in our live Q&A last night on what her next goals will be in triathlon, she said: “My goal has always been to try and find my potential in this sport and particularly in Kona. I still don’t feel that I have reached my ceiling and while I feel that way will continue to return to Kona and see how fast I can go! You can never have too many world titles.”
She also admitted that she feels the pressure improve her swim and bike to the point where they match her stellar run (Rinny reached T2 more than 14mins behind the leader in Kona this year), saying: “Definitely don’t want to find myself that far back off the bike again anytime soon.”
Mental toughness
Reader Stephen Collins asked what many of us were wondering – just how does she push through the pain barrier? What are her mental strategies?
“Honestly it’s become second nature to push through the struggles in training and in racing. We as endurance athletes are masters at pain management. I don’t have any super secrets here, just the fact that I couldn’t look myself in the mirror if I gave into the pain.
“It does help to focus on the little things when the going get’s really tough.. breathing, pacing, hydrating & fueling properly.. Fill your mind with productive thoughts and there will be little room to focus on the pain.”
Favourite run workouts and nutrition
Another 220 reader wanted to know – what’s her favourite run workout to get ready for Kona?
“Don’t tell my coach I told you this and it’s just between you and me right… I love a set of 20 x 3mins on the treadmill or 20 x 800m on the track. When I can nail this session and still feel fine at the end of the session I know I am getting close to Kona shape.”
On the subject of nutrition, ultrarunner Ruth Goddard in Kent wanted to know if Rinny has days off in terms of nutrition, and what her favourite treats are. “Us IM athletes love our treats and like you ultra-marathoners have earned them,” Rinny replied. “I eat ice cream most days and at least one glass of wine per day..
“Actually there isn’t much that’s off limits during the season. Half the battle is keeping the weight on when you are racking up the training hours. The only time I do have a restriction is about 6-8 weeks out form Kona. I cut all wine and ice cream from my diet. It’s more a mental shift that helps get me into race mode.”
And finally, one bike kit question came in from a fellow Felt IA owner – why didn’t she use electronic Di2 shifting in Hawaii? “Well you don’t really need electronic groupo for Kona since there isn’t much out of the saddle climbing – plus I am a proud Zipp/SRAM athlete and am patiently waiting for them to release their electronic TT sets. Great choice on bike by the way – the IA is by far the best bike I have ever ridden.”
(Images: Paul Phillips)
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Thanks to everyone who sent in questions, and to Mirinda for kindly agreeing to take part!