TRIATHLON MARKETING

Triathlon Marketing



Triathlon Marketing

Introduction

Triathlon comprises three sports which are swimming, cycling and running. The distances of the three sports vary, depending on the competition. It is a sport as well as an individual confrontation. Triathlon is regarded as the most difficult of the sports among all international competitions. The athletes of triathlon have a very tight and strict practice schedule so that they would be able to cope up with the required standards of support, both physical and psychological. There are various modes of triathlon but triathlon works with a combination of various sports. Athletes' dedication towards triathlon is increasing day by day. Triathlon provides the athletes with the strongest steady progress in Olympic Games (Foster, 1995).

The combination of three sports also comprises three practice modes. Swimming takes place at sea, pond or lake. Usually the swimming contest is held outside in the open atmosphere. Athletes have to swim at the direction of the current. Cycling is against one's own time trial. It is required to maintain at least 7 meters distance with the competitor ahead. Overtaking/overrunning is essential to be performed with a side diversion of 3 meters. Running is performed as a distance race on a road or path.

Triathlon requires the athletes participating to show the efficiency in their performances and to make rapid transitions between the two events. Rapid transition of a performer refers to the movement from one sport to another. For example, if the athlete is swimming then after he is done with the swimming he is to immediately run out of the water and put on the helmet and go for cycling. The transitions are often denoted by T1 and T2. The transition is very important; it should be legal and according to rules. Poor transition can cost an athlete heavily by waste of time, valuable effort or even returning to the peloton.

History of Triathlon

It is said that triathlon started with a bet in the year 1978 between US Marines on the island of Hawaii. The purpose was to find out that that which sports and who athlete is the strongest to complete the entire three sports successfully. The winner would be given the title of Hawaii Ironman. But other sources quote racing was made many years ago that the model athlete can be considered as an actual triathlon. It is also said that in California, in 1974, triathlon was held in reverse order, i.e. running, cycling and swimming. It was sponsored by San Diego Track Club. This idea was conceived and directed by Jack Johnstone and Don Shannah. On 25th September, 1974 first Mission Bay Triathlon was held where 46 athletes participated. This day is marked as the beginning of the modern triathlon. According to the History, triathlon was started from a race in French author and historian Scott Tinley. He was termed as “Les trios sports”, “The Course of Debrouillards”, and “La course des Touche a Tout”. In France, in 1920, triathlon was conducted without interruption with 3 km ...