- Qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 is well underway.
- Two British triathletes were disqualified and will not go to the Olympics.
- They will have another opportunity to qualify in the future.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Two British athletes were disqualified from a triathlon qualifier for finishing together hand-in-hand.
What Was At Stake
The World Triathlon Olympic Qualification Event happened in Tokyo. As the name implies, this race would earn triathletes a spot at the Summer Olympics. Needless to say, this event was important for the triathletes to do well in. In the end, two British athletes won the triathlon. They were Jess Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown.
Learmonth and Taylor-Brown were the two first runners to cross the finish line. As they were crossing the finish line, there were holding hands in celebration. However, this caused both of the triathletes to be disqualified from the race.
The Ruling
The International Triathlon Union has rules and regulations for the triathlon. Rule 2.11.f states that “Athletes who finish in a contrived tie situation, where no effort to separate their finish times has been made, will be DSQ.”
Regarding the disqualification of Jessica Learmonth and Georgia Taylor Brown, the ITU rules are as follows:
“Rule 2.11.f
Athletes who finish in a contrived tie situation, where no effort to separate their finish times has been made, will be DSQ”— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) August 15, 2019
That is exactly what happened. Although it was not malicious, the two triathletes made no efforts separating from each other. They both wanted to finish the race together and show the world solidarity and friendship. But that cost them both a spot on the podium and their ticket to the Summer Olympics.
This means that Flora Duffy from Bermuda ended up taking the gold medal for this qualifier. Behind her is Alice Betto of Italy and British athlete Vicky Holland. They received silver and bronze respectively.
Although Taylor-Brown is disappointed by the result, she does not regret it. Plus, OlympicBettingOdds.com knows this is not the only qualifiers for the Olympic triathlon. The running section of the triathlon was cut short due to poor weather. This means that more opportunities to qualify for the Olympic triathlon will appear later in the year.