The Olympic triathlon consists of a 1.5 kilometres open-water swim around Farm Cove in Sydney Harbour, a 40 kilometres cycle and a ten kilometres run around the Opera House, Royal Botanical Gardens and Domain. The three elements follow on one from the other without rest.
Swimming is the first sport, making for a spectacular mass start off a pontoon into the harbour.
Any stroke is allowed but freestyle is the fastest and therefore most common. Indeed other strokes are rarely seen at world level. The cycling section follows swimming. There are six stations to handle punctures, and competitors are allowed to carry their bikes to those stations in case of need. This became impractical, however, and cyclists do ride close to each other these days.