With the world’s biggest triathlon contest happening later this month, we wanted to take a moment to congratulate these athletes on becoming Olympians.
While never easy, because of challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the road to these events has been tougher than most.
These athletes will be contesting the Olympic-distance triathlon that combines swimming, road cycling and distance running, performed in that order. “Olympic distance” for men and women is a 1,500-meter swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run. Medallists in the men's event will complete the distance in about one hour and 45 minutes, while top women will finish in just under two hours.
Also, for the first time, the Olympics will feature a mixed-relay triathlon event where teams of four (two women and two men) will contest abbreviated distances for a chance to capture gold.
Here’s a rundown of Kogel-supported athletes contesting on the world’s biggest stage later this month.
| Justus Nieschlag
Justus Nieschlag (Germany)
Ranked 30th in the world last year and 29 year old, Justus Nieschlag has become a dominant threat on the world’s biggest triathlon stage.
Justus faced an uphill battle to qualify for the Olympics, considering he sustained a toe injury in T2 in Die Finals in Berlin in 2019.
Contending with race cancellations in 2020 and back injury, Justus announced his comeback with a win at the Super League Triathlon in Rotterdam earlier this year. He is Germany’s biggest hope for a gold medal.
| Matthew Sharpe
Matthew Sharpe (Canada)
Currently ranked 59th in the world, Matthew was introduced to triathlon at a young age and crowned Junior and U23 (Espoir) Elite National champion. Since then he has successfully transitioned to the World Triathlon Series, becoming a podium contender.
We’re super-excited to see Matthew taking advantage of Kogel’s Guaranteed Performance lineup and representing Canada in the summer games. He’ll be competing in the individual and mixed-relay events.
Every triathlete that makes it to the Olympic Games should be considered the cream of the crop in their discipline.
Kogel is stoked to be part of their success, playing a small but critical part of their journey.
