Ever since World Triathlon announced that the mixed relay format would debut at the 2020 Olympic Games, excitement has been brewing.
As one of the most thrilling sporting spectacles, it also presents another opportunity for countries, and its individuals, to medal. For Team England, it offers a unique chase to win on home soil, the Games having last taken place in England in Manchester 20 years ago.
How does the Mixed Relay Triathlon work?
Teams of two men and two women each complete a short-course triathlon (300m swim, 5km bike, 2km run) before tagging off to their teammate to take over. The format will be woman-man-woman-man. With its rapid and unpredictable format, it’s a winner for athletes, spectators and viewers alike.
The route will take athletes around a short circuit of Powell’s Pool nestled within Birmingham’s Sutton Park, before sending them off onto the short bike loop along some local roads, before finishing off with a short stretch in the park itself.
When is the Olympic Mixed Relay Triathlon happening?
The Mixed Relay starts at 2:31pm BST this coming Sunday, 31 July. For full details on how viewers in the UK can watch it live on the BBC, here’s how to watch.
Who will be in Team England’s Mixed Relay team?
With Jonny Brownlee having to duck out of the Games last-minute due to an elbow injury sustained during Leeds WTCS that saw him DNF alongside teammate Alex Yee, Tem England now sits at four world-class athletes, all of whom will be taking on legs in the relay event.
Recovered from his road rash during the Leeds crash, silver Olympic medallist Yee will be a top choice to take the all-important first leg, with the aim to get England in a good position early on in the race.
Then it’s likely to be Olympic reserve and cycling powerhouse Sophie Coldwell for the second leg, followed by young Sam Dickson, who impressed earlier in the season with a strond third leg at WTCS Hamburg.
Double Olympic medallist Georgia Taylor-Brown is likely to take on the final and critical anchor leg, tasked with flying England to victory in front of a home crowd.
As for the other countries and athletes racing, anticipation is at an all-time high ahead of the big day…
Duffy‘s set to race for Bermuda in the individual event.
Beth Potter‘s also completing her final prep ahead of pinning on her bib for Scotland.
It’ll be Taylor-Brown‘s first home Games this year.
Meanwhile, Non Stanford‘s excited to get back to her triathlon roots, representing Wales.
Yee‘s training looks to be in full swing as he’s kitted out with some new kit ahead of the Games.
Current Commonwealth Games Champion Henri Schoeman of South Africa will be looking to retain his title.
Over in Girona, Australia’s Hayden Wilde has been putting in the miles ahead of the big day.