LA28 officials unveiled the initial courses Wednesday for the Olympic and Paralympic triathlon competitions that will be held in Venice during the 2028 Games, with routes taking athletes through the beachfront community and along the Pacific Ocean.
The Olympic women’s and men’s individual triathlons are scheduled for July 15-16, 2028, with the mixed relay set for July 20. Paralympic women’s and men’s triathlon events are scheduled for Aug. 18-19, according to LA28.
The Olympic individual competition will begin with a 1,500-meter swim off Venice Beach, followed by a 40-kilometer bicycle course and a 10-kilometer run. LA28 officials said athletes will start the swim from the beach rather than a pontoon, only the second time that type of start will be used in Olympic history.
The bicycle portion will consist of eight 5-kilometer laps along the Venice bike path and streets of Venice, with two technical turnaround points. The running course will consist of four 2.5-kilometer laps and take athletes over bridges in the Venice Canals.
All of the events will use a single transition area, which will also serve as the site of the finish line overlooking the coastline. The first medals of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be awarded there following the women’s individual triathlon.
“With less than two years until we host the Games, we’re excited to share more with athletes, fans and our local communities about the dynamic events they will experience in the Venice Beach Zone during the Olympic and Paralympic Triathlon competitions,” Shana Ferguson, LA28’s chief of sport and games delivery officer, said in a statement.
“This iconic neighborhood will add another meaningful chapter to its storied history as the first LA28 medals of the 2028 Games are awarded here, with the world’s best athletes taking on courses that showcase the energy, character and beauty of this vibrant beachfront neighborhood.”
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park said Venice is looking forward to hosting the competitions.
“Venice is excited to welcome Olympic and Paralympic athletes and fans from around the world to one of LA’s most iconic communities — and showcase everything that makes Venice unforgettable,” Park said in a statement.
The Olympic mixed relay will feature four-person teams competing in a woman-man-woman-man order. Each athlete will swim 350 meters, bicycle 6.6 kilometers and run 1.6 kilometers before handing off to the next team member.
For the Paralympic competition, athletes in six sport classes will begin from a barge beyond the breakwater and swim one 750-meter lap. They will then complete a 20-kilometer bicycle course consisting of three 6.6-kilometer laps and finish with a 5-kilometer run consisting of two 2.5-kilometer laps.
Athletes will get an opportunity to compete on the courses before the Games when World Triathlon’s T50 Triathlon World Tour comes to Venice July 16-18, 2027. LA28 officials said the event will be used to assess the courses and operational preparations ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics.
The Los Angeles Olympic Games will begin July 14, 2028, followed by the Paralympic Games in August.