A NATIONAL Triathlon Federation is set to be established in Rwanda for the first time, according to acting Chairman Alex Mbaraga.Mbaraga, a former national volleyball player, said they are doing everything possible to acquire legal documents needed by the Ministry of Sports and Culture so they can start official operations in the country.“We want to introduce the game in Rwanda and hope that athletes can take up the sport and be able to develop it and compete on the international scene,” said the ex-Blue Tigers chairman.Currently, the federation has four teams based in Muhazi, Rubavu, Karongi and Kigali.The first modern swim/bike/run event to be called a ‘triathlon’ was held at Mission Bay, San Diego, California on September 25, 1974.Triathlon races vary in distance. According to the International Triathlon Union, and USA Triathlon, the main international race distances are: Sprint Distance; 750metres (465mi) swim, 20kilometer (12.5mi) bike, 5 kilometer (3.1 mi) run intermediate (or standard) distance.The sport made its debut in the Olympic Games at the Sydney Games in 2000 over the Olympic Distance (swim: 1,500m (1,600yd) – bike: 40km (24.9 mi) – run: 10 km (6.2mi).
