A
triathlon is a grueling race consisting of a
swim, followed by a
bicycle race, followed by a
run. The triathlon is an Olympic event for the first time in the 2000
Olympics in
Sydney.
The segments of a triathlon have different lengths in different races, but the lengths used in the Olympics are typical: 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run.
These three segments are run consecutively; the racers report to prepared stations between segments to change equipment, e.g., to pick up/leave their bikes.
The Ironman is a long triathlon.