• The first Triathlon was held in 1964, in San Diego, USA
• The first Australian Triathlon was held in 1987
• The Australian Triathlon Federation was formed in 1989
• The International Triathlon Union was formed in 1989
• In 1992 Triathlon was listed in Sydney's Olympic bid
• September 4, 1994, Triathlon included in Olympic Program.

On Saturday 16 September 2000, Triathlon will make its debut on the first morning of the Olympic Games. At 10.00am, 50 of the world's best women athletes will dive into Sydney Harbour to begin the Olympic Triathlon. The event will showcase the new sport of Triathlon to a television audience of over 3 billion and an expected 120,000 spectators. The men’s event will be staged on day 2 of the Games also at 10.00am over the 'Olympic Distance’.

Competitors will complete a course consisting of a 1500m swim, a 40 km cycle (6 laps) and a 10km run. The women’s and men’s races will be held on days 1 and 2 with 50 competitors in each, representing more than 20 countries.