LA28 officials recently unveiled the initial courses for the Olympic and Paralympic triathlon competitions, which are slated to take place in Venice during the 2028 Games. These routes will guide athletes through the well-known beachfront community and along the Pacific Ocean.
The Olympic women’s and men’s individual triathlons are scheduled for July 15-16, 2028. Following these, the mixed relay competition is set for July 20. The Paralympic women’s and men’s triathlon events will then follow nearly a month later, scheduled for August 18-19, according to LA28.
For the Olympic individual competition, athletes will kick off with a 1,500-meter swim directly off Venice Beach. This beach start, rather than a pontoon, will mark only the second time such a beginning has been used in Olympic history, as stated by LA28 officials. Following the swim, competitors will transition to a 40-kilometer bicycle course. This portion will consist of eight 5-kilometer laps, winding along the Venice bike path and through the streets of Venice, incorporating two technical turnaround points. The final leg is a 10-kilometer run, which will involve four 2.5-kilometer laps that take athletes over bridges within the Venice Canals.
All events will utilize a single transition area. This same spot will also serve as the finish line, offering views of the coastline. It is here that the first medals of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are expected to be awarded, specifically after the women’s individual triathlon.
Shana Ferguson, LA28’s chief of sport and games delivery officer, shared in a statement that they are "excited to share more with athletes, fans and our local communities about the dynamic events they will experience in the Venice Beach Zone" with less than two years until the Games. She added that Venice will add "another meaningful chapter to its storied history" by hosting the first medal ceremonies. Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park also noted Venice’s anticipation, stating that the community "is excited to welcome Olympic and Paralympic athletes and fans from around the world."
The Olympic mixed relay will feature teams of four, competing in a specific woman-man-woman-man order. Each athlete on these teams will complete a shorter circuit: a 350-meter swim, a 6.6-kilometer bicycle ride, and a 1.6-kilometer run, before handing off to their next team member.
The Paralympic competition, designed for athletes across six sport classes, will begin differently. Participants will start from a barge situated beyond the breakwater for a single 750-meter swim lap. From there, they will complete a 20-kilometer bicycle course, made up of three 6.6-kilometer laps, before finishing with a 5-kilometer run that comprises two 2.5-kilometer laps.
Before the main event, athletes will have an opportunity to test out the courses. The World Triathlon’s T50 Triathlon World Tour is scheduled to come to Venice from July 16-18, 2027. LA28 officials indicated this event will be used to assess both the courses themselves and the operational preparations in advance of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Los Angeles Olympic Games are set to officially begin on July 14, 2028, with the Paralympic Games following in August of the same year.