The qualification system, which has been approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board, gives 55 men and 55 women two years to book their places at the Summer Games in Brazil, with the process starting at the World Triathlon Yokohama on May 15 this year and concluding on the same date in 2016.

A maximum of three athletes can be sent to compete for the first eight nations that qualify for positions, while the remaining countries will have the opportunity to send no more than two triathletes.

The National Olympic Committees will then be tasked with selecting the athletes to race at Rio 2016, but to be eligible they will have to either win a quota place at the continental or world Olympic qualification events or be among the top 140 on the Olympic qualification list, the 2015 World Triathlon Series Ranking or the ITU points list.

As the Games host nation, Brazil is also guaranteed one quota place for each gender.

There will be places for 55 men and 55 women on the start line at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images


Meanwhile, a further two berths will be allocated by the Tripartite Commission Invitation.

"It seems like just yesterday we were in London watching history be made," said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado.

"The return of the Olympic qualification period is always a very exciting time, as well as an important phase that spurs the development of our sport."

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