AusTriathlon welcomes additional medal opportunities for athletes at LA 2028 Games

AusTriathlon has welcomed the news that for the Paralympic 2028 LA 2028 Games (LA28) being held at Venice Beach, Los Angeles, there will be an unprecedented 12 medal opportunities for para triathletes.

For the first time ever, all para triathlon classes will be represented with medal opportunities, showcasing the depth and breadth of talent within the sport. A total of 12 medals (PTWC, PTVI, PTS2, PTS3, PTS4 and PTS5 for both men and women) will be awarded at the LA28 Paralympic Games, with a total of 120 para athletes competing.

Megan Hall OLY, Head of AusTriathlon’s Paralympic Program said the news was welcomed by everyone and highlighted the global growth of the sport.

Hall noted “It’s an exciting time for our Australian athletes, and our competitors globally, in para triathlon. Like our Olympic counterparts, we will now have the incredible opportunity to showcase our sport and athletes at the iconic Venice Beach.

“Over the past two Paralympic cycles, para triathlon has experienced rapid growth. With 12 medals on offer, this marks a significant milestone, and I believe sends a clear message: para triathlon is here to stay as a key part of the Paralympic program.”

The LA28 news timing could not be better for AusTriathlon with the confirmation that the highly successful Paralympic Pathway Hub in Victoria has been extended through to LA 2028.  The Hub is a collaboration with the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), and supported by Paralympics Australia, based out of the VIS in Melbourne.

Training camps are also located in Essendon at the NEC Hangar, a state-of-the-art facility that also serves as the Essendon Football Club's High-Performance Centre.  The facility includes a world-class gym, two high-altitude rooms and a three-lane lap pool along with neighbouring environments suitable for triathlon training.  Emerging and already established para triathletes will have access to expert practitioners from the VIS in the areas of performance health, wellbeing, nutrition, science and strength and conditioning.

AusTriathlon High Performance Director Shaun Stephens said the LA28 announcement was particularly welcomed following significant work by AusTriathlon and the Victorian Institute of Sport in recent months to strengthen the para triathlon program.

Stephens advised “Para triathlon is in an incredibly exciting phase, and we are focused on setting the standard of performance in the sport with our partners on the journey with us. We are delighted with the news around LA28 and to have the support of the International Paralympic Committee and Paralympics Australia as we look to achieve further success on the road to LA and Brisbane 2032.”

Hannah Every-Hall, Victorian Institute of Sport General Manager High Performance added "the growth of the Paralympic medal program at LA28 is an exciting step forward for Para sport. Through our partnership with AusTriathlon and as the home of the National Para Triathlon Hub, the VIS is committed to developing world-class para triathletes ready to thrive on the global stage."

Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Cameron Murray shared “Paralympics Australia warmly welcomes the inclusion of the women’s PTS3 event on the Para-triathlon program for Los Angeles 2028. This important addition brings gender-equality across the classifications for the first time in its Paralympic history - an incredible milestone for the para-triathlon community since its debut at Rio 2016.

“AusTriathlon is to be commended for its leadership and continued investment in strengthening the Paralympic high performance and pathway program over the last cycle. At Paralympics Australia, we’re proud to have partnered with AusTriathlon and the Victorian Institute of Sport through the para-triathlon Hub, which has been central to developing athlete depth across all classes and building capability in coaches and performance support staff.

“We look forward to continuing this important partnership as we work together to elevate para-triathlon to new heights on the road to LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032”

For information on the 2025 World Triathlon Championships Finals, Wollongong coming up in October 2025 supported by the NSW Government and the City of Wollongong click here. 

Image. Jack Howell Credit: World Triathlon