World Triathlon’s new rules shake up drafting penalties and water quality standards

Updates to the rule book are changing the competition at World Triathlon sanctioned races.

Ahead of the next Olympics, and effective a day from now on January 30, 2025, changes to the Competition Rules impact the mixed relay, sprint distances races, athlete briefings, drafting penalties, apparel regulations, water quality standards, swim behaviour an event participation criteria. All changes apply to elites, and some to the age group field.

Changes to swim behaviour rules state that athletes “are not allowed to push an inanimate object to propel themselves forward.” The statement does not include an example of what constitutes an inanimate object in the context of the swim course. Athletes will also need to ensure they have short finger and toenails or they may not be allowed to start the swim. No jewelry is allowed, including watches. However, the head referee may authorize the wearing of watches.

Before you staple that protest poster to a wooden stick, the no watches rule only applies to elites. You can sit back down and keep reading now.

Mixed relay categories combine total age

Going forward, the sequence for mixed relays will be woman-man-woman-man. This applies to elites and age groupers. Age group mixed relays have a new age range. There is no longer the typical age categories for relay teams. Categories will now be based on the total combined age of all team members, separated by 40 years, such as 80-119.

The number of points awarded for sprint distance races for the purpose of rankings will no longer be reduced. Sprint distance races will now be awarded the same amount of points in the ranking factor as all other distances. Previously there was a 25 per cent reduction of points, and a 12.5 per cent reduction for semifinal/final events. To uphold competitive equality the same amount of points will be awarded across all formats.

Athlete briefings will now be held the day before all category of races at 4:00 pm.

Drafting penalties reduced

Drafting penalties have been reduced across different race distances. For long distance races the penalty duration is now three minutes. The middle distance has been reduced to two minutes. A standard distance penalty is one minute, and sprint distance is down to 30 seconds. The drafting zone has also changed. All races now have the same drafting zone distance at 12 meters, and the same 25 seconds to make a pass. The penalties apply to all non-drafting races, including draft-illegal standard and sprint distances. Draft penalties do not apply to draft legal races.

Penalties for other infringements have not changed, but a new penalty category has been added. The super sprint distance will now be subject to penalties of five seconds for infringements.

Sleeves down to the elbow are now permitted to be worn by elites racing any distance.

Water quality standards relaxed

Swim water quality standards have been “relaxed.” Acceptable levels of Enterococci and E. coli in swim courses now must meet the standard of ‘good’ instead of ‘excellent.’ Decisions to cancel the swim due to water quality will no longer be made by a single person. It will now involve collaboration with a medical committee representative, medical delegate and the LOC medical director.

The minimum age to participate in higher-level competitions is a minimum of 16 years of age. The minimum age for high performance athletes participating in the Mixed Relay Series and World Championship, the Continental Triathlon Cup and Development Regional is set at 16, while other types of competition have a higher age threshold. Athletes must be a minimum of 17 years old to compete in the World Triathlon Cup  and Supertri E Championships. All other high level competitions require athletes to be at least 18 years old.

World Triathlon stated alongside the release of the rule updates that it has taken this proactive step “to enhance the competitive landscape, prioritize athlete welfare, and modernize regulations in line with feedback from stakeholders.”