Resizing Triathlons for Fairness

As currently configured, triathlons are dominated by cyclists and runners. The concept of fairness, as applied to triathlons, suggests that a cyclist, runner, and swimmer, all equally proficient, can each traverse the associated segment of the triathlon in approximately equal times. This definition of fairness is used to 6erive fair triathlon proportions for various total elapsed times. The equal variance argument_ is explored, and a plan is proposed for the Ultimate Paris-to-London Triathlon. World records for the three sports are used to produce estimated distances traversed. These alternative proportions make the three segments more equal and should encourage the participation of swimmers. While the Paris-to-London route is a bit longer than the analysis suggests, it is more appealing than the ideal that would start a little east of Paris and end a little north of London. An appendix considers statistical bias in the analysis, and one figure illustrates the discussion. (Contains 5 references.) (SLD) ******A**ii ***A*ici ********A**A:,;.AA:c************* c *;,A******** Reprodictions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. **********************************************************************