Earlier today, World Triathlon publicly confirmed that Para-Triathlon will continue as a sport in the Paralympic Games in 2028.
Having made its debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, Los Angeles will represent Para-Triathlon’s fourth Games appearance.
In Rio, Para-Triathlon had six gold medal opportunities on offer. One of the gold medallists in 2016 was Jetze Plat who continues to lead the way in the PTWC class. Such is his dominance, we suggested him as an Alternative Global Triathlon Awards Male Athlete of the Year.
Five years later, at the delayed Tokyo Paralympics, Para-Triathlon had eight gold medals on offer. Only three athletes managed to win a second gold in Tokyo after winning a first in Rio. Among them were Plat (PT1 then PTWC), Martin Schulz of Germany (PT4 then PTS5) and American Allysa Seely (PT2 then PTS2).
As an aside, Seely’s team-mate Grace Norman (PT4 then PTS5) nearly matched the feat, however she won silver in Tokyo having won gold in Rio. The silver medallist from Rio, Lauren Steadman (PT4 then PTS5) went one better in Tokyo by pipping Norman to the gold.
Para-Triathlon has gone from strength to strength in recent years. As an example, at the World Para-Triathlon Championships in Abu Dhabi, Susana Rodriguez of Spain won her fourth world title in the PTV1 category. However, she was pushed all the way by the young Italian Francesca Tarantello. Born in 2002, Tarantello is one of the leading members in a new generation of Para-Triathletes that are coming through the ranks.
By the time Los Angeles comes around, there is a very good chance the sport will have deepened even further.
Alongside Para-Triathlon, there will be a further 21 sports in the Los Angeles Paralympics. The full programme will include Para badminton, Boccia, Blind football, Goalball, Para judo, Para canoe, Para equestrian, Para table tennis, Wheelchair tennis, Wheelchair fencing, Wheelchair basketball, Para archery, Para athletics, Para powerlifting, Sitting volleyball, Para swimming, Para rowing, Shooting Para sport, Para taekwondo, Para triathlon, Wheelchair rugby and Para cycling.
