Sydney Olympics to Feature Triathlon for the First Time
Starting in September, the Sydney Olympic Games will also feature triathlon. Originally born as an extreme challenge, the sport has gradually changed its appearance and characteristics, transforming into a modern, eco-friendly, and spectacular sport accessible to everyone. It is thanks to this evolution that triathlon has reached the Olympic stage, a feat also owed to our province and especially to Garda.
Origins and development of triathlon in Italy
The very first event in Italy of this new sport specialty, imported from the United States and representing a synthesis of three actions (swimming, cycling, and running), took place on September 2, 1984, from Piazza Bra in Verona, ending in the historic center of Bardolino. It was a preview of a sport unknown in our country (the first race ever was held on February 18 in Hawaii), promoted and organized by then university student Camillo Cametti, who later founded the Associazione italiana triathlon, with the sponsorship of the Municipality and the then Tourist Board of Bardolino.
Since then, 17 years have passed—equivalent to the number of editions of the «Città di Bardolino». The race, which has become international, has remained faithful to the Olympic distance (1.5 kilometers of swimming, 40 kilometers of cycling, and 10 kilometers of running). This year’s event will be held the day after tomorrow, Saturday, with the swimming segment starting at 1:30 PM at Punta Cornicello. Bardolino’s race is promoted as the record-breaking event, not only because of its 17 editions and high number of participants, which has surpassed a thousand athletes, but also due to its prize fund (30 million lire) and the flawless organization, involving more than 450 staff members.
Characteristics and milestones of the race
Therefore, the «Città di Bardolino» is an unmissable event, which every year attracts an increasing number of triathlon specialists. A real leap in quality came in 1987 with its fourth edition, which became the sole Italian round of the «Le Coq Sportif» circuit, while the following year it became the exclusive event for the Italian Team Cup and the sixth stage of the Italian club championship.
Over 400 participants took part in the 1990 edition, measuring themselves against top Italian and European athletes, as well as Americans and competitors from distant locations such as Bermuda and Guadeloupe. In 1994, the Italian athletes’ winning streak was interrupted by Czech Martin Matula, who would also be present in the 1997 edition, already entered for that year, and coming off a recent victory in San Marino, another race part of the «Blue triathlon Reebok series» circuit.
Starting from 1996, the Bardolino triathlon was rescheduled from September to June and for three consecutive years awarded the Gore Windstopper trophy. The 17th edition of this year is also valid as the Italian university championship, and beyond the impressive number of registrations, notable athletes participating help define the race’s stature.
Leading the lineup is Australian Loretta Harrop, the world champion from last year and second in the world ranking. Defending Italy’s colors are Italian champion Fabrizio Ferraresi (whose notable past includes the 1991 edition) and Stefano Belandi, a star of the Italian national team, who won the penultimate Olympic qualifying event in Cefalù at the end of April. The event is further distinguished by the presence of the Italian long-distance triathlon team (4-120-30) athlete Daniela Locarno, who earned a bronze medal at the world championships in Nice.