Brazilian triathletes Reinaldo Colucci, Diogo Sclebin and Pâmella Oliveira, who receive aid from the Ministry of Sports Athlete Assistance Program, will have the biggest challenge of their careers in Hyde Park, site of the 2012 London Olympics triathlon race.

The names of the triathletes were confirmed by the Brazilian Triathlon Confederation (CBTri), based on their international ranking. The sport, one of the newest in the Olympic calendar, was first included in the year 2000 event in Sydney, Australia.

During a triathlon athletes swim 1.5 kilometers, cycle 40km and run 10km. Reinaldo Colucci was the first to have his name confirmed by the national delegation. He was a gold medalist at the Pan American Games held in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2011 and he will represent Brazil in the Olympic Games for the second time.

The national female representative, Pâmella Oliveira, is currently leading the national ranking. The athlete qualified through a system known as new flag, whereby a place is awarded to the best placed athlete on the continent for those countries that do not have an athlete classified by the Olympic ranking system. Official confirmation by the ITU (International Triathlon Union) will only be made in June.

To date the Brazilian delegation has 225 guaranteed entries in 30 sports, 67 of which receive financial help from the Athlete Assistance Program.

01 June 2012