http://www.triathlon.org/news/ en merryn.sherwood@gmail.com Copyright 2012 2012-01-31T22:30:08+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/london_2012_unveils_anti-doping_laboratory_for_olympics_and_paralympics/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/london_2012_unveils_anti-doping_laboratory_for_olympics_and_paralympics/#When:19:08:50Z The ITU anti-doping team would like you to be aware that the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) unveiled the WADA accredited anti-doping laboratory which will operate during the London 2012 Games. LOCOG, IOC, and ITU are working together to make sure that the testing of triathletes is as effective and efficient as possible. According to their media release, “LOCOG, laboratory service providers GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and laboratory operators King’s College London, welcomed Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics for a tour of the facility which is based in Harlow, Essex. Over 6250 samples will be analysed throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games, up to 400 each day which is more than at any other Games. The laboratory, which measures the size of seven tennis courts, will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Over 1,000 LOCOG staff will work within the Anti-Doping process and a team of more than 150 anti-doping scientists will carry out the testing at the laboratory, led independently by Professor David Cowan from the Drug Control Centre at King’s College London. The facility, which has been provided by pharmaceutical company GSK, will be operated by leading anti-doping experts from King’s College London and supported by scientists from around the world. Paul Deighton, London 2012 Chief Executive, said: “Today is an important milestone in the countdown to the Games. Working with one of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies and one of the country’s leading universities we have been able to create a facility to successfully and efficiently process 6,250 tests during the Games which has never been done before. As we unveil the anti-doping lab we recognise the importance of a robust testing system and continue to show that London is ready to stage a successful Games.” Hugh Robertson,  Minister for Sport and the Olympics, said: ““We are doing all we can to ensure that there is no place to hide for drug cheats at London 2012. Our message to any athlete thinking about doping is simple – we’ll catch you. This lab, from GlaxoSmithKline and King’s College London, is at the forefront of the fight against doping. It will be populated with scientists at the top of their field during the Games who will carry out an exhaustive testing process.” Sir Andrew Witty, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline said: “As a science based organisation, GSK is well placed to help deliver the scale and cutting edge... Anti-Doping, Olympics, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-01-26T19:08:50+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_releases_website_dedicated_to_olympic_games/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_releases_website_dedicated_to_olympic_games/#When:22:28:02Z With exactly 200 days to go until the triathlon competition at the London Olympic Games, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) today launched its official Olympic website: triathlon.org/olympics.  The site will keep fans and media abreast of all the latest news and developments with the triathlon competition at the Olympics, including a breakdown of the complex qualification process. “Triathlon enters its fourth Olympic Games in what is undeniably an exciting sports year as London takes centre stage this summer and we can already see the high demand and appetite for Olympic information and news,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member.  “We expect triathlon to be one of the most popular and marquee sports of the London Olympics.” The website includes a course map of the triathlon competition, plus a list of all the live sites in the UK, as well as race reviews and photo galleries from the triathlons at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.  The site will also gather the names that will make up the Olympic start lists as National Olympic Committees (NOCs) officially confirm their athletes that will compete in London. The women’s triathlon in the London Olympic Games will take place at 9am on Saturday 4 August while the men’s race will go at 11:30am on Tuesday 7 August.  ITU’s Olympic qualification period concludes with the ITU World Triathlon Madrid on May 26-27. Click here to visit ITU’s Olympic website Events, Major Games, Olympics, Olympic Tab Player, Media Centre, Event Release, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-01-16T22:28:02+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/best_of_2011_the_race_for_the_london_2012_olympic_games/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/best_of_2011_the_race_for_the_london_2012_olympic_games/#When:08:09:16Z ITU’s official Olympic qualification period opened in June 2010 and will run until May 2012, but the make-up of the London 2012 Olympic Games start lists did become a little clearer in 2011. ITU’s Olympic qualification works the same way as many other Olympic sports, athletes work to secure a spot for their national federation through earning Olympic qualification points, but that doesn’t guarantee that those same athletes will be the ones selected. The final decision is up to each National Federation, who sets the qualification standards for each country, and then the countries own National Olympic Committee, who makes the final selection. The majority of Olympic slots are decided through the ITU Olympic qualification points list, and final slot allocation will determined in May 2012, but national federations can also gain spots if one of their athletes wins a continental championship and through new flag slots. These new flag slots are where the ITU awards berths to one country per continent, that would otherwise not have one. For more details on the Olympic Qualification process click here. The total Olympic field is 110, with 55 men and 55 women, which means that there is a limit on how many athletes from each country can compete. That total number is six, or three men and three women, and eight countries can qualify this many. Right now, Australia, Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany and New Zealand are sitting with the full six spots, Japan and the USA have three men, while Russia and Portugal have three women, but that battle is far from over. But in 2011, the actual names competing became clearer as many athletes met their national federation’s qualification criteria. London was a major selection race for many NFs. Alistair Brownlee and Helen Jenkins secured their spots in Team GB with their wins, Jonathan Brownlee secured his with his bronze in London combined with bronze in Beijing, and Gwen Jorgensen and Sarah Groff qualified for Team USA. For Germany, reigning Olympic men’s gold medallist Jan Frodeno and Steffen Justus claimed their spot,s while Anja Dittmer secured hers with a bronze. That result was also significant, Dittmer was the first athlete to qualify for four Olympics. For France, Laurent Vidal and David Hauss met their national criteria with their top 10 places in London, while Jessica Harrison and Emmie Charayron are selectable with their respective seventh place in Beijing Grand Final and European championship... Olympics, Olympic Tab Player, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2011-12-22T08:09:16+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/ioc_wraps_up_penultimate_visit_to_london/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/ioc_wraps_up_penultimate_visit_to_london/#When:19:27:27Z Concluding its ninth and penultimate visit to the city of London (5-7 October), the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Coordination Commission for the 2012 Olympic Games found good progress being made project-wide and praised the efforts of organisers to bring the 2012 Games experience to the whole of Great Britain and beyond. The Commission heard how the London Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympic Games (LOCOG) and its partners were starting to test how they would work at Games-time during the successful “London Prepares” series. London 2012 is learning valuable lessons through such programmes that will help it enhance the experience for athletes and supporters coming to the Games next year. The Commission also remarked on how the strong collaboration and impressive detailed integrated work between LOCOG and its external delivery partners has stood the organisers in good stead in the face of the huge task of staging a Games. It has allowed them, for example, to deliver the Games venues on time, which has permitted the organisers to start testing their operations in optimal conditions. The Commission witnessed the result of this first hand during visits to the Olympic Park and an archery event at Lord’s Cricket Club. “London 2012 continues to make good progress toward delivering great Olympic Games next summer,” said IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald. “We have once again been impressed by the overall level of planning and by the results of the first group of test events that were held this summer.” “LOCOG and its partners are also looking beyond the confines of the venues and are working hard to bring the London 2012 experience to people across Great Britain and around the world,” Mr Oswald continued. “This will undoubtedly generate a great Olympic atmosphere next summer, and we congratulate them for their work.” A common thread through all of the presentations this week was how people are able to experience the Games. The Commission noted that, since its last visit in April, LOCOG was responsible for the launch of a very successful ticket programme, great coverage generated by one-year-to-go celebrations, as well as popular Olympic Torch Relay and volunteer programmes that have already started to bring London 2012 to homes across the nation and abroad. Also well-received were programmes such as the Cultural Olympiad — which will culminate in the London 2012 Festival next year — Get Set Education, International Inspiration... Events, Major Games, Olympics, Olympic Tab Player, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2011-10-07T19:27:27+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/the_london_olympic_rehearsal_has_been_run_and_won_heres_what_we_learned/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/the_london_olympic_rehearsal_has_been_run_and_won_heres_what_we_learned/#When:07:35:48Z It was one of the events we looked forward to all year, and the races did not disappoint as Helen Jenkins claimed her first Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series win before Alistair Brownlee capped off a great weekend for Great Britain with an emphatic victory. But as the first and last time athletes were able to race the course before next year’s London Olympics, we thought it might be worth revisiting some statistics, and what the athletes thought of the new Hyde Park course. The history It was the weekend that Great Britain fans hoped for, Jenkins wins the women’s and Alistair Brownlee wins the men’s, but they will have to create new history to do it again in London next year. In the previous three Olympic test events for Sydney, Athens and Beijing – the winner of the test event has never won the Olympic gold the next year. Emma Snowsill told Australian press afterwards that “History has proven it’s not a good thing to win so there’s a positive in everything,” Snowsill said. But there is some positive news in the history for Great Britain, in the past two Olympic Games – the bronze medallist from the men’s test event has gone on to win bronze in the Olympic race. Sven Riederer (SUI) in Athens and Bevan Docherty (NZL) in Beijing. That puts Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) in a pretty good place for London 2012. Other test event medallists who have gone on to medal in the Olympic version include Vanessa Fernandes (POR) and Emma Snowsill (AUS). Fernandes beat Snowsill in the Beijing test event, before Snowsill turned the tables in 2008.  Also the entire women’s podium from Sydney 2000 had medalled in the test event earlier that year: Brigitte McMahon (SUI), Michellie Jones (AUS), and Magali Dimarco Messmer (SUI) The Weather Expect the unexpected is probably an apt motto for an English summer and the men’s race was a perfect example of that. There were patches of sunshine, then cloud, then an almighty downpour. If that happens during the Olympic races next year, it could make things very interesting. Although, Alistair Brownlee is probably hoping it does; the only time he hasn’t won in London is because he had heatstroke and collapsed. “I’ve been looking at the weather forecast most of the week, I didn’t want it too hot as I didn’t want a repeat of last year and when it started raining I thought, yep, no chance of heat exhaustion this year,” Brownlee said afterwards. The Brownlees brotherly love They said after the Sydney race to kick off... Events, World Championship Series, Olympics, Olympic Tab Player, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2011-08-08T07:35:48+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/jenkins_thrills_home_crowd_with_gold_in_the_london_olympic_preview/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/jenkins_thrills_home_crowd_with_gold_in_the_london_olympic_preview/#When:10:14:30Z Great Britain’s Helen Jenkins couldn’t have planned a more perfect place for her first Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series win, running clear of the field to claim gold in the London 2012 Olympic Games preview in Hyde Park. In a race that threw up a host of surprises, including new first-time medallists Gwen Jorgensen (USA) and Anja Dittmer (GER) making up the rest of the podium, Jenkins gave the home crowd exactly what it hoped for. This weekend’s Dextro Energy Triathlon Series round is the first and last time that athletes can race the Olympic course before the London 2012 Games and despite having a slight cold, the 2008 World Champion powered away in the run to win by seven seconds. In the process, she booked her place on the GB team for next year’s Games, gained confidence on the course ahead of next year and broke free of her series bridesmaid tag. Before this race Jenkins had a total of six Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series medals, including two silvers in 2011, but not one gold. Until now. “Oh, it hurt so much, normally when you win you are like ‘oh yeah, its easy’, but that hurt,” Jenkins said. “I didn’t feel great in the swim, and the bike was pretty easy but my legs didn’t feel great. “I was just trying to follow my teammate Kerry Lang I was just trying to sit with her as she’s riding really well, so I was just like, follow Kerry and I’ll be safe and then I hit the run and I thought, I’ll just see how I can do, I’m not sure how I’ll do, and I was at the front so kept running, kept running and someone said, ‘you’ve got a gap,’ and I thought, I’d better keep pushing on. The last bit, someone said 20 seconds and I thought if I blow up I’m still going to lose, so I had to keep pushing right to the end.” Jenkins was with the leaders throughout the whole race, as yet another series title this year came down to a all-out showdown in the run. Coming out of the swim a 34 woman lead group that included Jenkins, Australian’s Emma Moffatt and Emma Snowsill, Switzerland’s Nicola Spirig, the USA’s Laura Bennett, Sarah Groff and Sarah Haskins, New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt and Canadian Paula Findlay established a lead of a minute on a chase pack of similar size in the first lap. But that chase, led by Barbara Riveros Diaz (CHI) and Kirsten Sweetland (CAN), cut that back over the seven laps and eventually bridged it, leaving about 50 athletes hit T2 together. From there, Jenkins set the pace and then went it alone for... Events, World Championship Series, Olympics, Olympic Tab Player, Regions, Europe 2011-08-06T10:14:30+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/one_year_to_go_until_london_2012_olympic_games_triathlon/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/one_year_to_go_until_london_2012_olympic_games_triathlon/#When:02:41:34Z Exactly one year from today the best female triathletes in the world will dive into The Serpentine in the battle for Olympic gold. Which means it is the perfect time to revisit triathlon’s history in the Olympic Games, and what will be different about triathlon at London 2012. OLYMPIC HISTORY What has happened so far Triathlon made its official Olympic debut in Sydney, where Simon Whitfield and Brigitte McMahon stamped their names in the history books as the first gold medallists. In Athens, it was Hamish Carter and Kate Allen’s golden turn before Emma Snowsill and Jan Frodeno won the gold in Beijing. Overall, Australia are on top of the Olympic medal tally with a total of four. As well as Snowsill’s gold, Australian women have collected two silver medals, Michellie Jones in Sydney and Loretta Harrop in Athens and one bronze, Emma Moffatt in Beijing. New Zealand and Switzerland have three medals each, each with a gold, then Canada and Germany have two medals. Whitfield has both of those medals for Canada. Austria, Czech Republic and the USA currently have one Olympic medal each. The holder of the most impressive statistic though goes to New Zealand’s Bevan Docherty, who is currently the only triathlete to win an Olympic medal at each Games they have contested. Docherty won silver in Athens and then bronze in Beijing, and could qualify for London this weekend. FROM BEIJING TO LONDON Has much changed in triathlon since the last Olympics? You bet it has: The Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series Up until Beijing, ITU World Champions were crowned from one race, one day a year. In 2009, that changed dramatically with the introduction of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series. Now World Champions are crowned after seven races, six regular rounds and a Grand Final – designed to reward the most consistent triathletes. Alistair Brownlee won the men’s title in 2009 with five wins from five races, Javier Gomez won the title in 2010. In the women’s, Emma Moffatt has won both. Moffatt’s 2010 season perfectly captured the emphasis of the new series, she didn’t win a round, but her consistent podium spots helped her to claim her second consecutive world title. Overall, the world’s best triathletes are competing against each other more often, and the times just keep getting quicker. Penalty Box This will be the first Olympic Games with the penalty box for athletes to serve any time penalties. Before, if athletes were given a time... Events, World Championship Series, Olympics 2011-08-04T02:41:34+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/olympic_selection_on_the_line_in_london_next_weekend/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/olympic_selection_on_the_line_in_london_next_weekend/#When:08:22:01Z While it’s still 12 months until the triathlon competitions at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the start lists for both the men’s and women’s gold medal races could become a little clearer after the 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series London round next weekend. While the number of places on the start line for each country comes down to a complex qualifying system, plenty of National Federations have set London as an part of their national qualifying criteria. Put simply, it means that some athletes can secure their Olympic spots next weekend. Events, World Championship Series, Olympics, Media Centre, Press Release, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2011-07-29T08:22:01+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/one_year_until_start_of_london_2012_olympic_games/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/one_year_until_start_of_london_2012_olympic_games/#When:18:26:49Z To celebrate one year to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games online, London 2012 has created an interactive Twitter stadium and world map. Visit www.london2012.com/1yeartogo where you can see what the athletes are saying about London 2012, see which teams Twitter fans around the world are supporting using the #1yeartogo hashtag, and tweet your support for your team in the click of a button. Upload photos and videos You can also upload videos and photos and have them appear on a world map alongside the many messages received from the world’s athletes. Visit www.london2012.com/1yeartogo and tweet your support! IOC invites world’s athletes to compete at London 2012 With one year to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today officially invited the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of the world and their athletes to attend the London Games. IOC President Jacques Rogge formally invited the world’s NOCs during a public ceremony in London’s historic Trafalgar Square. In the presence of HRH the Princess Royal, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald and London 2012 Chair Sebastian Coe, as well as thousands of members of the public, the IOC President symbolically presented a number of NOCs with their invitations. The NOCs that received their invitations directly in London were: the Hellenic Olympic Committee (representing the birthplace of the Games), the Chinese Olympic Committee (the host of the previous Games of the Olympiad), and the future host NOCs of Great Britain, Russia, Brazil and the Republic of Korea. The other NOCs will receive their invitations by post directly from the IOC’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. “Inviting the NOCs to participate in the Games is a key milestone in organising the Olympic Games,” President Rogge said. “It symbolises the start of the one-year countdown for both the organisers and the athletes, and brings the dreams of all those involved a little closer to reality. For those aiming for London, I’m sure that today will motivate them that little bit more, knowing that their time to shine is drawing closer. I believe that the NOCs and athletes are excited and I’m sure that the fantastic British public is ready to give all the sportsmen and sportswomen competing next year a very warm British welcome.” LOCOG Chair Sebastian Coe said, “Today is a proud moment for us as organisers. A year out is... Events, Major Games, Olympics, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2011-07-27T18:26:49+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/battle_for_olympic_qualification/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/battle_for_olympic_qualification/#When:21:09:01Z The ITU’s international triathlon circuit, which includes the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series, World Cups and Continental Championships, is also the battleground for Olympic qualification. The two-year period, from June 2010 until May 2012, is an intensive journey for athletes, who compete for themselves but also for their respective countries to secure berths for London 2012. National Federations are striving for the maximum quota of six (three men and three women), while some emerging countries are making a desperate effort to secure at least one spot. Athletes, through the ITU’s events, shoulder the burden to earn precious Olympic qualification points to gain berths for their country, although even if they secure a spot for their nation, it doesn’t mean they’ll get to go themselves. The majority of Olympic slots are decided through the ITU Olympic qualification points list, and final slot allocation won’t be determined until May 2012. National Federations can also gain spots if one of their athletes wins a continental championship, through a special qualification event in London in August, and through New Flag slots – in which the ITU awards berths to one country per continent, that would otherwise not have a slot. (For more details on the Olympic Qualification process click here). The Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Hamburg last week had some impact on the current simulation table, a list showing the tentative number of spots each country has provisionally earned at this point. Kiyomi Niwata (JPN) finished 11th in the strong women’s field, pushing her up to 44th place in the Olympic Qualification List. The 40-year-old’s best result in the Dextro Energy Triathlon Series earned a potential third spot for Japan at this point. Meanwhile, Italy provisionally increased its spots to two with Alice Betto‘s (ITA) 19th place finish boosting her up to 68th on the list. Consequently, Canada and Germany each lost a spot. Mateja Simic (SLO) vaulted into 57th position in the ITU Points List after posting a career-best second-place finish in the ITU Triathlon World Cup Edmonton on 10 July. Her performance not only made her eligible to compete in higher-tier events but increased Slovenia’s chances of securing a New Flag berth. Slovenia has never participated in triathlon at the Olympic Games. Simic maintained Slovenia’s chances for a New Flag berth by finishing 39th in Hamburg. On the July 18 simulation list, the following... ITU, Olympics 2011-07-21T21:09:01+00:00