The World Triathlon Executive Board has approved a comprehensive review of event rules, effective from January 1, 2022. Among the new approved rules, there will be increased penalties for swim behaviour, and wetsuits limits are set higher for athletes who are 60 years and older.
Clip-on handlebars on draft legal races are to be forbidden from 2023 and in some cycling competitions with immediate effect.
One of the rule changes impacts the Mixed Relay, which now will be undertaken in the following order: man – woman – man – woman, till the end of 2024 to be applicable on all levels of events. Regarding the World Triathlon rankings, some modifications have been approved to award more points to regional and continental events.
The complete set of rules for the Arena Games will also be reviewed and approved in the coming weeks.
The review of the rules was undertaken by the World Triathlon Technical Committee, with inputs from continental confederations, national federations, technical officials and various committees. These include the Coaches Committee, Athletes Committee, Legal & Constitution Committee, Para triathlon Committee, Medical & Anti-Doping Committee, Multisport Committee and Age-Group Commission.
The Executive Board also proposed the Olympic Qualification for Paris 2024 to start on May 27, 2022 and to finish on May 27, 2024. The number of events counting for the Olympic Ranking on each period, as well as the full Qualification Criteria, will be approved and announced at a later stage, after approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
