Rules of Triathlon

Site: World Triathlon Education & Knowledge Hub Printed by: Ronald Rizk (LBN)
Course: What is coaching (in a triathlon context)? Date: Wednesday, 9 November 2022, 3:52 PM
Book: Rules of Triathlon
 Table of contents

1. Introduction

2. Rules for Different Competitions

3. Rule Updates

4. Sanctions

5. Equipment for Swimming

6. General Conduct

7. Equipment for Cycling

8. Transition and pre-race conduct

9. Cycling Directly Behind Someone

10. Conduct During Competition

11. Protests and Appeals

12. Young Athletes

13. Paratriathlon

14. Implications for coaches

 1. Introduction

A good understanding and knowledge of the rules of the sport is often neglected by athletes, and in many cases
coaches too. Whilst most people are familiar with the common rules of mount\dismount line and some knowledge
of drafting, many of the other rules of the sport are not clearly understood or even known.

Sometimes rules can at first seem bureaucratic, but all the rules of the sport have been developed to ensure
Triathlon remains safe and fair for all participants. The aim of the Competition Rules and Technical Officials is to
promote the enjoyment of the sport, but uphold the rules where safety and fairness may be compromised.

The aim of this section is to highlight some of the different types of rules and signpost to where more knowledge
can be found. This section should therefore be used as a precursor to reading the Competition Rules NOT
instead of reading them. Some of the key and less well-known rules are referred to in this section, however not
every rule is covered and therefore coaches and participants should read the rules.
 2. Rules for Different Competitions

Within Triathlon there are a variety of rules depending upon which organisation licences the specific race. For
most coaches and participants, the three main organisations are:

World Triathlon – governing Olympics, International races, for example WTCS, World and Continental Cup
races, Elite and Age Group World Championships.
Ironman – governing Ironman branded events.
National Federation - governing most domestic and some national championship events. Some NFs developed their own rules when
Triathlon was in its infancy, and may still have some discrepancies from World Triathlon rules, other NFs have adopted the World Triathlon
rules completely.

From January 2017, World Triathlon, Ironman and several NFs are seeking to harmonise their rules with the aim of operating under a consistent
set of rules to govern the whole sport, therefore the rules of each closely mirror each other. Each of the links above will take you to the current
rules for the relevant organisation.

Additionally, Triathlon rules are closely related and defer in many cases to both WADA, for doping violations and UCI for regulations relating to
cycling equipment.

Coaches should therefore know which rules govern races that their athletes are competing under.

Note the rest of this section uses World Triathlon Competition Rules.
 3. Rule Updates

It should also be noted that all the organisations listed previously release updates to rules and regulations from time to time. For this reason,
coaches and participants should review changes and ensure they keep up to date with the current situation. This should be a process they
undertake at least once each year, before the competition season.

The World Triathlon Competition Rules may be changed from time to time by the World Triathlon Technical Committee at its discretion, with the
approval of the World Triathlon Executive Board. Any rule change(s) shall be advised in writing to affiliated National Federations at least 30 days
before it/they is/are to take effect unless the World Triathlon Executive Board decides otherwise.
 4. Sanctions

Failure to abide by the rules of the sport can lead to a number of increasingly serious sanctions
being imposed:

1. Warning – a warning may be given by a Technical Official when an athlete violates a rule
unintentionally or a Technical Official believes a violation is about to occur, and no advantage
has been gained. Responding positively and taking corrective action will result in no further
action. Failing to take appropriate action may lead to further sanctions.
2. Time penalty – is an appropriate penalty for infringements, which do not warrant a
disqualification. Applied for drafting infringements and other infringements listed in appendix K
of the World Triathlon Competition Rules. Time penalties vary between 10 seconds and 5 minutes depending upon the infringement and
race distance.
3. Disqualification (DQ) reasons include breaking traffic regulations, dangerous riding, threatening or abusive behaviour, failing to obey
instruction, outside assistance.
4. Suspension from all competition is the most serious sanction, and is usually reserved for anti-doping violations, fraudulent behaviour or
repeated dangerous or unsportsmanlike conduct.

At an entry level, Technical officials will make every effort to explain rules, use warnings and allow novice athletes to rectify errors before
sanctions are applied. Coaches can help athletes have a more enjoyable race by explaining key rules and outline common mistakes, so they
learn and can improve.

As an athlete progress through to more advanced races of a higher competitive standing, such as qualification races or championships they will
be expected to have a greater understanding of the rules, and sanctions will be applied more readily.
 5. Equipment for Swimming

Most of the rules are concerned with safety, unfair buoyancy or propulsion. Some common rules
include

Competitors must not use or wear artificial propulsion devices and flotation devices.
Wetsuits must comply with rules, including being no thicker than 5mm.
Swim caps must be worn, the outermost cap must be the official race swim cap.

In non-wetsuit swims the following are not allowed:

Clothing covering any part of the arms below the elbows and clothing covering any part of the legs below the knees is also usually forbidden
during the swim segment, such as calf and arm compression clothing,
Official race numbers

For safety reasons, the use of wetsuits is forbidden or mandatory if the following combinations of distance and water temperature are attained.

Elite, U23, Junior and Youth:

Swim length Forbidden Mandatory

Up to 1500m 20°C and above 15.9°C and below

1501+ 22°C and above 15.9°C and below

Age Group Athletes from the youngest to 55-59 category:

Swim length Forbidden Mandatory

Up to 1500m 22°C and above 15.9°C and below

1501+ 24.6°C and above 15.9°C and below

Age Group Athletes from 60-64 category to the oldest:

Swim length Forbidden Mandatory

All distances 24.6°C and above 15.9°C and below

At temperatures above 32°C and below 12°C the swim element of the race should be cancelled. Note that there are a variety of water and air
temperatures which when considered with race distance may result in the race distances being shortened. See the competition rules for full
details.
 6. General Conduct

It is the competitor’s responsibility to:

avoid using abusive language;

ensure race uniform covers the torso - front zipper must be zipped up for sprint and
standard, and not undone further than the bottom of the breastbone for middle and long
distance;
only dispose of rubbish in designated litter zones;
not display any political, racial or religious propaganda;
only change entries with another competitor by an official process run by event organiser,
otherwise competitor won’t be insured in the case of accident.
 7. Equipment for Cycling

General rules for bikes include:

Bikes must be roadworthy, generally an M-Check is sufficient.

Must have bar ends, circled in red in picture.
Roadworthy and approved helmet, see Bike Equipment section,
Bib race numbers must be worn on back during the bike section.
Any race numbers supplied by event organiser must be used as instructed.

With the inclusion of draft legal races for age group there are a number of differences between what is
allowed in different races.

Table: Bike Equipment, rules for different competitors

Draft Legal-
Item Draft Legal-Elite, U23, Junior and Youth Non-Drafting
Age Group

No Disc
Wheels,
UCI approved wheels, or wheels not on the list Rear Disc wheel allowed, unless adverse wind
Wheels must have
complying to criteria listed in the Competition Rules conditions
minimum 12
spokes.

Brake on
Brakes Brake on both wheels Brake on both wheels
both wheels

Drop handlebar with clip-on allowed, but must not Traditional Only handlebars and clip-on bars not extending beyond
exceed the foremost line of brake levers and must have Drop the leading edge of the front wheel will be permitted.
Handlebars
a solid factory bridge or be touching. Clip ons will not Handlebar Clip-on bars in two pieces do not need to be bridged. All
be allowed from 1 January 2023. only tube ends must be plugged.
 8. Transition and pre-race conduct

Competitors should NOT mark their equipment or position in transition.

Only competitors will be allowed in transition - no family, children or dogs!
MP3's and using phones to make calls or take photos are forbidden - this is due
to safety and the need for being alert at all times as to what is happening
Rack in transition in your own personal spot and don't' take up too much room.
Boxes will be moved and bags will probably be moved to the side to not impede
anyone else. If you do this then you could get a penalty.
 9. Cycling Directly Behind Someone

Drafting refers to one rider sitting closely behind another rider with no intention of overtaking, and taking advantage of reduced frontal air
resistance as they shelter behind the other rider. Competitions are either declared as Draft Legal (allowed) or Non-Drafting (draft illegal). Rules
are in place to ensure that triathletes cannot benefit from drafting off other competitors. Draft legal races tend to be for elite competition in
Standard and Sprint distance and some high-level competitions for age groupers.

The rules for drafting have changed over time and competitors and coaches should always review the latest rules for drafting.

The basic rules are:

A drafting zone behind a triathlete exists, the draft zone is either 10m (sprint and standard distance races) or 12m (middle and long distance
races) long.

A rider coming into the draft zone behind another triathlete has 20 seconds (sprint/standard distance) or 25 seconds (middle and long distance)
to pass the lead rider, or they have to drop out of the draft zone.
 10. Conduct During Competition

The following video shows some common rules in race scenarios:

2018 ITU Triathlon Rules

Swim
Backstroke is not permitted in a pool swim, and the event organiser should be notified if there is an intention to use backstroke in open water
event. Any other stroke maybe used freely.

Cycling
Helmet must be worn and done up at any point where the competitor is in contact with the bike.
Competitors must only mount the bike after the mount line, and dismount before the dismount line.
Must be in possession of a bike throughout the bike course, a competitor can run or walk with their bike at any point on the bike course.
know and follow the course and count laps where applicable. Marshalls are provided for safety, not to give directions;
follow any instructions given by an official or marshal. Instructions will be given to help, maintain fair play or keep everyone safe;
Local Traffic Regulations must be followed always when racing on open roads.

Outside assistance
Outside assistance - only allowed by event personnel or Technical Officials – and is limited to providing drinks, nutrition, mechanical and
medical assistance.
Athletes may not provide essential race equipment to other athletes in the same competition, while the competition is in progress.
Specifically, items that may not be provided to other athletes includes but is not limited to complete bicycles, bicycle frames, wheels and
helmets. The penalty for this will be disqualification of both athletes. Athletes may provide to other athletes competing in the same
competition other items of equipment provided that the donor is able to continue with their own competition.
 11. Protests and Appeals

A protest is against the conduct of an athlete, Technical Official, or the conditions of the competition. An
athlete or a National Federation designate may file a protest with the Head Referee provided the protest
has not been previously observed by the Technical Officials and ruled upon by the Head Referee.

Protest may be filed concerning:

the eligibility of an athlete;

the course;
the competition (against another athlete or a Technical Official);
an athlete's equipment;
timing and results.

Contents and procedures are regulated in detail in the Competition Rules.

An appeal is a request for a review of a decision made by the Head Referee (Level 1 appeal), the Competition Jury or any World Triathlon panel
(Level 2 appeal) and the World Triathlon Medical and Anti-Doping Committee solely with regards to eligibility (Level 3 appeal) or the World
Triathlon Tribunal (also Level 3 appeal).

Similarly to protests, procedures and timelines are also regulated in detail for the various levels of appeals in the Competition Rules.

Competitors, coaches and Team managers should be fully aware of the above processes for their event before the event takes place.
 12. Young Athletes

Most of the rules that apply for adults also apply to junior races, however there are several key additional
or different rules, a non-exhaustive list includes:

Aged up to and including 15 may take part in events up to and including Super-Sprint distance and
Team Relay.
Aged 16-17 may compete in events up to and including Sprint distance and Team Relay;
Athletes aged 18 and over may compete in any events;

Some National Federations have included a series of rules to improve development of younger children, and have added rules including:

Gear Restrictions – many higher-level child, youth and junior races now have restrictions on the gears that can be used. Primarily, this is to
aid development of cycling skills, and avoid injury to growing athletes.
Children’s age groups are split into two-year age groups, starting at age 8, with each group racing over different distances.
The same misdemeanours carry time penalties for children, but the penalty imposed is reduced in length, due to race duration being shorter.
For example 10, 20 or 30 seconds penalties depending upon age group.
Inappropriate behaviours and actions of parent/guardian/accompanying adults can result in the disqualification of the competitor.

A good example of these rules can be found in the British Triathlon Competition rules.
 13. Paratriathlon

Paratriathlon generally adheres to the standard set of competition rules. However, there are
different rules covering race classifications, use of Paratriathlon Personal Handlers and
Guides. See Paratriathlon section for further details on classification, handlers and race
distances. See Section 17 of the Competition Rule book for a full list of rules pertaining to
Paratriathlon.
 14. Implications for coaches

Coaches should be up to date and aware of all the competition rules that affect any of the
participants they work with, for a race sanctioned by any of the recognised organisations. There are
several high-profile instances where lack of a knowledge of rule changes has resulted in
suspensions for athletes (usually surrounding anti-doping). This may seem like it is only
appropriate to elite athletes, but the same rules apply and are being enforced in non-elite racing in
many events.

Coaches can also address rules in training sessions, whilst most coaches are familiar with using
mount and dismount lines in training sessions other rules can also be incorporated, for example:

Using artificial penalties in training to get athletes to respond appropriately to instructions to officials, even when they don’t agree with the
decision.
Use races around the skills to taking kit on/off appropriately and managing it correctly, e.g. using transition boxes, transition only style races.
General questions and answers with athletes around rules, including getting them to check each other’s helmet, bike and other equipment for
rule violations.
Coaches\team officials should be able to support and help their athletes in case of an appeal for or against their athlete.

Next activity: Module Completion