We take a big step closer to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games this weekend with the Olympic qualification period opening for the ITU World Triathlon Yokohama, Japan. There’s top-flight triathlon and paratriathlon with athletes including Commonwealth champion, Joe Townsend and Commonwealth bronze medal winner, Marc Austin on the start lines. Meanwhile, on home soil, there is a qualification race for Age-Group athletes to qualify for 2018 and 2019 ITU races.

2018 ITU World Triathlon Yokohama

Japan hosts the ITU World Triathlon Yokohama on Saturday with athletes returning to Yokohama after competing there in previous years, including Tom Bishop and Non Stanford.

Elite Men: Marc Austin, Tom Bishop, Grant Sheldon

Elite Women: Non Stanford, Jodie Stimpson

Full start list can be found here.

Detailed preview and viewing information is available here

2018 Yokohama ITU World Paratriathlon Series

After winning gold at the Commonwealth Games, Joe Townsend returns to action for the opening round of the 2018 ITU World Paratriathlon Series. Steve Crowley, Lauren Steadman, Dave Ellis are just some of the Great Britain Paratriathletes also taking their respective places on the start line in order to start the qualification process for the 2018 World Championships on the Gold Coast in September. There's a live stream via triathlon.org/live and the ITU Facebook page.

Elite Men: Steve Crowley, Dave Ellis, George Peasgood, Ryan Taylor, Joe Townsend

Elite Women: Fran Brown, Lauren Steadman

Full Start list can be found here.

2018 & 2019 ITU Standard Distance Triathlon Qualifier, St Neots

The second qualifying event for the 2018 Gold Coast ITU Standard Distance Triathlon World Championship take place on Sunday at the St Neot’s Standard Triathlon. It’s also the first opportunity to qualify for the 2019 ITU Standard Distance, with Age Group athletes, aiming for a place to compete in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2019.

To learn more about qualification, please visit here.  For more information on the event, visit nicetrievents.com.  

Welsh Triathlon Super Series

The opening race of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series takes place in Llanelli. There’s a £4000 prize for the winning male and female, so the likes of local boy, Liam Lloyd will be looking to get a good start in the Series.

More information here.

The second Youth and Junior Super Series race will be taking place in Llanelli with young triathletes aiming for a podium finish. 

Find out more about the Youth and Junior Super Series races here.

IRONMAN

There are a host of 70.3 events around the world, including Mallorca, which is always very popular with British triathletes.