Shortly after Gold Coast saw off Hambantota of Sri Lanka to stage the 2018 competition, triathlon mixed relay was voted onto the sports programme by the 70 Commonwealth nations and territories in attendance at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis following recommendations from the CGF Sports Review Committee.

Women's boxing, women's rugby sevens and beach volleyball were also voted onto the Commonwealth Games sports programme and while they could appear as early as the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, it is more likely that they will come into consideration for Gold Coast 2018.

But the Gold Coast have already made clear their desire to host the triathlon mixed relay in 2018 having hosted numerous international triathlon events, including the 2009 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championship Series Grand Final where local hero Emma Moffatt (pictured) took the World Championship title.


"The triathlon mixed relay will have a very keen audience given our city is the home and training base for many of Australia's greatest triathletes," said former Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimming medallist Stockwell, who is likely to be appointed as Gold Coast 2018 Organising Committee chairman after his superb work in leading the bid.

"The course is tried and tested and will be very similar to that used when the 2009 ITU World Championships was held on the Gold Coast."

The triathlon mixed relay will be included in the Commonwealth Games in addition to the individual competition already in place for the event, with ITU President Marisol Casado expressing her joy that the discipline will be at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"We are delighted the Commonwealth Games has embraced the Triathlon Mixed Relay," said Casado, who is also an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member.

"The event offers a wonderful opportunity for men and women to race together for one Commonwealth medal, signalling the importance of balanced development and performance in the sport."

An ITU statement added: "The recent announcement that the Gold Coast would host the 2018 Commonwealth Games was seen as a positive boost for triathlons new team format.

"The location is seen as a Mecca for triathlon and an ideal location to host both the individual triathlon event and the recently added triathlon mixed relay event.

"The venue is seen as an ideal setting for the event and presents a challenging course with minimal risks as it has been tested extensively in numerous events.

"The ITU is hoping to bring triathlon mixed relay to another beachfront location before 2018 and is bidding to get the discipline added to the programme of the Olympic Games for Rio 2016.

"It is seen as strong contender for inclusion with its strong media popularity and youth appeal."


Triathlon mixed relay consists of two men and two women who each complete a short, intense triathlon in the order woman, man, woman, man.

The new format has enjoyed phenomenal success since the discipline changed from the original single sex team format in 2009.

According to research agency IFM, the recent Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships in Lausanne had over 571 million television contacts with over 93 hours of airtime and 253 broadcasts.

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