Section 4: Players & Officials
4.1 Competitors
- Individual events: Up to 55 athletes per gender at the Olympic Games. Qualification based on World Triathlon rankings and continental quota places.
- Mixed Relay: Teams of 4 (2 men + 2 women) from the same nation. Up to 16 teams at the Olympics.
- Start format: Mass start (pontoon dive start) for individual events. Wave starts may be used for safety in large fields. Relay legs start from a tag zone upon teammate's arrival.
4.2 Technical Officials
- Technical Delegate (TD): Appointed by World Triathlon. Oversees course approval, equipment checks, and overall competition rules compliance.
- Race Referee: On-course authority for penalty decisions and disqualifications.
- Transition Officials: Monitor transition areas for rule compliance (racking, helmet, equipment placement).
- Bike Course Marshals: Motorcycle-mounted officials who observe drafting, dangerous riding, and course compliance on the bike leg.
- Swim Safety: Kayakers, jet ski operators, and lifeguards positioned along the swim course. Responsible for athlete rescue and monitoring swimmers in distress.
- Penalty Box Officials: Manage the penalty box on the run course where time penalties are served.
4.3 Timing
Electronic chip timing using ankle-mounted transponders. Timing mats at swim exit, T1 in/out, T2 in/out, bike lap splits, run lap splits, and finish line. All split times are publicly displayed and recorded for official results.