ITU Announces 2016 Olympic Games Qualification Process

The ITU released the qualification system for the 2016 Olympic Games today. The first qualifying race will take place on May 15, 2014 at the World Triathlon Yokohama, giving athletes two years to secure their Olympic berths with the qualification period concluding on 15 May, 2016.

For both the men and women, 55 triathletes will compete for a chance to start in Rio, with a maximum of three athletes sent to compete for the first eight National Olympic Committees (NOC) that qualify for positions. All other NOCs will send up to two triathletes.“It seems like just yesterday we were in London watching history be made,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “The return of the Olympic qualification period is always a very exciting time, as well as an important phase that spurs the development of our sport.”

To be eligible to participate in the Olympics, all athletes must meet one of the following requirements:

– Winning a quota place for their NOC at the ITU Continental Olympic Qualification Events;
– Winning a quota place for their NOC at the 2015 ITU World Olympic Qualification Event;
– Being among the top 140 in the ITU Olympic Qualification List;
– Being among the top 140 in the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Series Ranking;
– Being among the top 140 in the ITU Points List.

The host country is also guaranteed one quota place per gender, while another two qualification berths will be allocated by the Tripartite Commission Invitation.