The triathlon is renowned for its innovative competition format, which combines swimming, cycling, and running, each of which has a rich history. It is a healthy, outdoors-oriented, challenging activity that promotes a lifestyle philosophy of “connecting with nature and achieving self-fulfillment.”

Originating in the United States in the 1970s, the triathlon has since become a global phenomenon. 

In 1994, triathlon was officially recognized as an Olympic sport by the International Olympic Committee, and it made its Olympic debut at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. It has also been featured at multiple Asian Games and Youth Olympic Games. Today, triathlon encompasses a range of race distances and multiple formats, becoming a general term for various multisport competitions. 

At the Sanya 2026 Games, the triathlon will include a swim and run, known as the aquathlon, and consist of three sub-events: men’s individual, women’s individual, and mixed relay.

The individual events follow a run-swim-run sequence over standard distances, with the final rankings determined by total completion time. The mixed relay includes four athletes (two men and two women) per team, competing in the order woman–man–woman–man. Each athlete completes a super sprint aquathlon, passing the relay through physical contact. The team whose final athlete crosses the finish line first wins.

The event embodies endurance, teamwork, and the coastal lifestyle spirit that defines the Sanya Games.