The 4xmixed, super-sprint distance relay was already introduced at the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last year for the first time in a global multi-sport competition with 64 athletes from 42 nations competing.

"The format is so exciting," said said Marisol Casado, the President of the International Triathlon Union (ITU). 

"It's an intense, fast and unpredictable battle for national pride, with the leaders changing almost every leg.

"We're seeing it included in more and more events worldwide, from entry level to elite.

"Its addition to the Asian Games is a clear indication that audiences find this unique format very thrilling.

"It is our great pleasure and honour to have the discipline in the sport programme of the Asiad.

"We would like to thank OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and the members of the OCA Executive Board for recognising the value of the discipline.

"Team triathlon's inclusion into the Asiad is not only a key stepping stone for the ITU's goal of getting it into the Olympic Games, but will be a catalyst to drive the triathlon movement in Asia because of its tremendous appeal to youth.

"Young talents are now emerging from Asia.

"We saw many promising young triathletes show their potential at the previous Asiad."

The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) ruling Executive Board is due to decide in 2013 whether to include the team triathlon event into the Olympic programme for 2016.

The ITU re-vamped the ITU Team Triathlon World Championships in 2006.

Previously it was not a mixed event, and three men and three women raced separately.

The format was modified in 2009 when it became the mixed relay event, which is more television-friendly and attractive to youth and spectators, ITU officials claim.

This year's World Championships will be held in Lausanne on August 21.

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