World Triathlon has approved a series of changes to its Competition Rules, including a major one surrounding what is deemed acceptable water quality for races.
The updates follow a comprehensive review, led by the Technical Committee of the World Triathlon Sports Department following feedback from stakeholders. They come into effect from February 27, 2025.
Water quality standards relaxed
The headline change relates to those water quality standards, which were a massive discussion point during, before and following last summer’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The topic hit the headlines with training swims for the triathlon event cancelled and the men’s individual race being rescheduled due to the River Seine’s unacceptable levels.
This was despite a much-hyped $1.5bn cleanup operation in the famous Parisian waterway, aimed at making it safe to swim in for the first time in a century.
Now, World Triathlon has relaxed the required acceptable levels of Enterococci and E.coli in swim courses from ‘excellent’ to ‘good’.
This means the acceptable level of Enterococci in ‘sea and transition water’ will rise from 100 to 200 per ml (cfu/100ml), with E-coli now set at 500ml, up from 250ml. Inland water limits have been increased to 400ml (Enterococci) and 1000ml (E-Coli).
In addition, the decision to cancel a swim due to water quality concerns will now involve a collaborative assessment by a group that includes a Medical Committee representative, the Medical Delegate and the LOC Medical Director, rather than a single individual.
More World Triathlon rule changes
World Triathlon has also updated several other rules, with changes made to the mixed relay regulations, drafting penalties and moves made to improve swim behaviour.
Drafting penalties have been revised and reduced across various race distances to reflect a “more balanced approach to competition integrity”.
- Long Distance: Reduced to three minutes
- Middle Distance: Reduced to two minutes
- Standard Distance: Reduced to one minute
- Sprint Distance: Reduced to 30 seconds
The Mixed Relay lineup has also been altered with a return to the format hosted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The sequence of competitors now must be woman-man-woman-man.
There are also changes to swim regulations in an attempt to improve swim behaviour. Athletes must not push on inanimate objects to propel themselves forward, finger and toenails must be cut short and jewelry is forbidden.
Watches are also not allowed to be worn in principle, however, the Head Referee may authorise the wearing of watches in elite races only.
