IOC Approves Olympic Qualification Criteria for LA28 Olympics
IslandStats.com
World Triathlon announced that the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the Qualification System for the LA28 Olympic Games. This system builds upon the successful framework of previous cycles while incorporating significant updates designed to broaden global representation.
World Triathlon will contest three (3) medal events at the LA28 Olympic Games: Men’s Individual, Women’s Individual, and the Mixed Relay. As in previous editions of the Games, the total quota will be 110 athletes (55 men and 55 women).
The qualification window opens on May 18th, 2026 and concludes on May 18th, 2028.
World Triathlon President Antonio Arimany has highlighted the impact of these changes for the LA28 cycle, noting the expanded opportunities for developing nations: "There isn't anything in world sport quite as powerful as the Olympic Games, and we are proud that have taken our commitment with both the Olympics but also the development and growth of our sport one step further. We have successfully advocated for a historic expansion of the "New Flag" rule and, for the first time in our Olympic history, there will be two dedicated qualification spots per continent for nations not otherwise qualified. This is not a minor adjustment; it is a structural change designed to open the door wider for athletes from developing Triathlon nations to step onto the blue carpet in Los Angeles. This ensures that the Olympic dream is a realistic, tangible target for more of your athletes than ever before."
For the LA28 Olympic Games eligibility can be attained through a variety of pathways earning one of the 55 spots available for each gender. As in the previous edition of the Olympic Games, there will be Mixed Relay events counting towards the qualification.
Mixed Relay Qualification
The Host Country (USA) is guaranteed two men and two women (one Mixed Relay team), provided they have eligible athletes.
Mixed Relay Championships: The winners of the 2026 and 2027 World Triathlon Mixed Relay Championships will each secure 2 men and 2 women quota places for their NOCs.
Mixed Relay Rankings: 16 men and 16 women spots will be allocated via the World Triathlon Mixed Relay Olympic Qualification Ranking. The highest-ranked NOC from each of the five continents (from continents without NOCs already qualified and within the top 15) will receive 2-2 quotas, with the remaining spots filling the quota based on rank.
Through these Host and Mixed Relay pathways, 22 of the 55 places per gender will be secured.
Individual Qualification & New Opportunities
Individual Olympic Qualification Ranking: 21 places will be available through the Individual Olympic Qualification Ranking as of May 18th, 2028. For NOCs that have already secured 2-2 places via Mixed Relay or Host pathways, their top 2 ranked athletes in both genders will not be considered for these individual spots.
Expanded "New Flag" Opportunities: For the first time ever, the "New Flag" pathway has been expanded to include two dedicated spots per continent (one via Continental Games, one via World Triathlon Ranking). This major update ensures that up to 10 athletes (2 men and 2 women per continent) from countries not otherwise qualified will have a guaranteed pathway to the Games, significantly increasing opportunities for emerging nations.
Universality Places: A maximum of 2 invitations (2 men, 2 women) will be awarded by the Tripartite Commission to eligible under-represented NOCs.
Eligibility and NOC Limits
Athletes must be born on or before December 31st, 2010, represent the same National Federation throughout the qualification period, and be ranked within the top 160 of the World Triathlon Ranking by May 18th, 2028.
NOCs with at least 3 athletes in the top 30 may qualify up to 3 athletes per gender; all others are limited to 2.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Olympian Hawley Reflects on 2025
IslandStats.com
Bermuda Olympian Erica Hawley reflected on a transformative 2025 season, describing it as a year of "trying new things" and prioritizing personal autonomy before the intensity of the next Olympic cycle begins.
After an eight-month break following the Paris Olympics, Hawley reignited her campaign in February at the World Triathlon Cup in Napier, New Zealand, where she secured an encouraging ninth-place finish.
Throughout the summer, she found a "flow state" during a successful stint in Canada, earning back-to-back podium finishes with a runner-up spot in Magog followed by third place in Montreal. These performances bolstered her world ranking and provided a vital confidence boost as she navigated a season that balanced elite short-course competition with new challenges.
A significant milestone in Hawley’s season came in October, when she competed in her first Elite World Championship Final in Wollongong, Australia. Navigating a challenging course at Cove Beach, she delivered a consistent performance across all three disciplines—swimming 1.5km in 20:11, cycling 40km in 1:02:35, and closing with a sub-38 minute 10km run—to finish 28th in the world.
Hawley noted that the experience of racing at the highest level of the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) was invaluable, exposing areas for growth and providing a clear direction for her technical focus heading into the next year.
Hawley concluded her 2025 campaign by stepping into the world of long-course racing with an impressive debut at the Ironman 70.3 La Quinta in California. Despite facing "rookie mistakes," such as minor technical issues with her hydration system and adjusting to a new time-trial bike, she secured an 8th-place finish in the professional women’s division with a total time of 4:17:32.
Currently spending the holidays in Bermuda before returning to her training base in Boulder, Colorado, Hawley is already looking ahead to 2026. With Olympic qualification set to begin in May, she intends to integrate more 70.3 distances into her schedule while maintaining a primary focus on her journey toward the next Olympic Games.
Sunday, December 07, 2025
Hawley Impresses in Ironman 70.3 La Quinta Debut
IslandStats.com
American Kirsten Kasper made a stunning transition from short-course racing to win the IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta in her very first attempt at the distance, while Bermuda Olympian Erica Hawley delivered an impressive top-ten finish in her 70.3 debut.
With zero prior experience on a time-trial bike and no appearances over the 70.3 distance, Kirsten Kasper stunned the elite field by winning IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta on her first outing. The American, making the leap from short-course racing, was a commanding presence from the opening meters of the race and sealed the victory decisively during the run leg.
The women’s race may have been impacted before the start, with ProTriNews reporting that an overnight incident saw a golf cart roll into the transition area, resulting in damage to some of the professional bikes, including those belonging to Jackie Hering (USA) and Steph Clutterbuck (GBR).
Bermuda Olympian Erica Hawley, also competing in her first 70.3 Ironman, delivered an excellent performance to secure a top-ten placement in the Women's Elite race.
Hawley finished with an overall time of 4 hours, 17 minutes, and 32 seconds. This time placed her 8th in the Women's Elite race out of 26 competitors. Her performance also saw her finish as the 8th female finisher out of 576 female competitors overall, and the 64th person to cross the line out of 2,269 total participants.
Her split times were:
Swim (1.2 Miles): 26 minutes and 2 seconds. Bike (56.3 Miles): 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 26 seconds. Run (13 Miles): 1 hour, 24 minutes, and 59 seconds.
Hawley's debut at the 70.3 distance marks a successful step into long-course triathlon, securing a result among the world's best athletes.
Friday, December 05, 2025
Hawley Set for Rookie 70.3 Ironman Challenge
IslandStats.com
Olympian Erica Hawley is set to take on a new challenge this Sunday, competing in her first-ever 70.3 Ironman event at IRONMAN 70.3 La Quinta, located near Palm Springs, California.
Hawley, who has extensive experience in short-course triathlon, expressed a mixture of excitement and novelty about transitioning to the longer distance: "It feels a little weird being a rookie in a sport I’ve been part of for 10 years… but I’m so excited to take on this new distance," she wrote in a social media post.
The athlete acknowledged her support team for preparing her for the gruelling challenge: "Huge thanks to coach Jessica West for experimenting with a new training plan, Andrew Frank for all things bike and cooking, and Jason West for the Tri knowledge!”.
The IRONMAN 70.3 distance includes a ROKA Swim Course Distance of 1.2 Miles, a ZOOT Bike Course Distance of 56.3 Miles, and a HOKA Run Course Distance of 13 Miles, totaling the 70.3 miles.
The La Quinta event is positioned as an "end-of-year race & retreat". The course offers unique features designed to challenge and inspire:
Swim: The swim takes place in the cool, calm waters of Lake Cahuilla, allowing athletes to easily sight off the mountains. Bike: The bike course is described as a flat and fast, picturesque ride that includes exclusive access to a lap around the Thermal Raceway, offering a chance for "extra speed". Run: The run course is set on the Silver Rock Golf Course, featuring a stunning route filled with palm trees and views of the surrounding mountains.
Hawley also gave a special shoutout to her sponsors and equipment providers: “A special shoutout to Jakroo Custom Apparel for designing and creating my custom Bermuda suit - obsessed with how it turned out! We took inspo from the Bermuda pastels and famous pink sand." She also thanked Zach Gregg for the Argon bike, Aero Gain for the hydration setup, and Precision Fuel & Hydration for keeping her fueled.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
2025 Hawley Inside Top 100, Smith Focused on Return
IslandStats.com
As the 2025 triathlon season draws to a close, attention turns to the final international rankings for Bermuda's elite athletes, Erica Hawley and Tyler Smith, who have experienced contrasting years on the global circuit.
Erica Hawley concludes her 2025 campaign inside the top 100, finishing the year ranked 85th globally. Hawley achieved her strong ranking after a busy schedule that saw her compete in a total of six events over the course of the season. Her consistent presence and performance across these competitions have secured her a high standing as she looks toward the next major cycle.
For Tyler Smith, 2025 was a year largely defined by limited competition. Smith managed to compete in just one event throughout the season.
Following his single appearance, Smith will end the year ranked 399th in the world. Despite the lower ranking, the focus for Smith will now turn to rebuilding his competitive schedule and climbing the standings significantly in 2026.
Both triathletes will now enter a period of training and preparation as they aim to return strong for the new season, with Hawley looking to consolidate her top-100 position and Smith aiming for a rapid ascent up the rankings.
