While the history of many Olympic sports can be traced back to ancient times, the triathlon only dates back to the 1970s. Debuting at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, this new sport has grown rapidly while gaining worldwide recognition.

A triathlon is aptly named for the three sports involved: swimming, cycling and running. The official distances for the triathlon were set at a 1.5km swim, a 40km cycle and a 10km run for both women and men. The race between events is continuous, making the smooth transition from sport to sport a vital strategy.

Thousands of triathlon competitions are offered worldwide each year to a base of about half a million triathletes. Since the sport is so grueling, half-tri competitions are gaining popularity. Although it has no official Olympic affiliation, the Ironman Triathlon is arguably the most well-known event in the sport.

The beautiful contrast of the Chicago skyline and lake provides a breathtaking and efficient venue for triathlon competition. The Accenture Triathlon, held right here in Chicago, is consistently one of the largest triathlons in the world. Each year, over 7,000 athletes compete, attracting over half a million spectators. The race features several local Chicagoans, many of whom have trained with the Chicago Tri Club, or CTC, an organization that is dedicated to providing the necessary resources for multi-sport athletes to reach their full potential.

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