Digital magazines from the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Triathlon Series
Issue link: http://worldtriathlon.uberflip.com/i/1392212
WOMEN'S REVIEW – SEPTEMBER 16, 2000 SYDNEY 2000 On the first day of competition in Sydney, 50 women dove into Farm Cove, the inlet just east of the Opera House. All eyes were on Aussie Michellie Jones, the heavy pre-race favourite who won the test event just five months earlier. As the women began the first triathlon in Olympic history, American Sheila Taormina emerged from the water first, almost 30 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. But the former swimmer couldn't hold the lead through the entire bike leg and by the time the women headed onto the run course Jones was in front, much to the delight of the Australian faithful. However, gold for the home country didn't come as expected and predicted. Instead it was Switzerland's Brigitte McMahon who sprinted down the home stretch past the Opera House and into history as triathlon's first Olympic gold medallist. Jones settled for silver, just two heartbreaking seconds behind McMahon. Magali Messmer made it a banner day for Switzerland, taking the bronze. All three women were on the podium together at the Sydney ITU Triathlon World Cup on April 16, which was contested on the same course. OLYMPIC HISTORY REVIEW 129 - World Triathlon Media Guide Tokyo 2020 REPLAY on Olympic Channel