The 2010 Youth Olympic Games will feature both the individual and relay format for triathlons, according to the International Triathlon Union (ITU) website.

The triathlon will feature 64 (32 boys, 32 girls) elite youth athletes who are 17-18 years old at the time of competition (born between January 1, 1992 and December 31, 1993).

The relay format will see teams of two boys and two girls each having to complete a super-sprint triathlon consisting of a 250m swim, a 7km bike and a 1.8km run. The cumulative time will determine the winning team.

The team relay format is new to the Olympic movement.

“It’s very promising that the IOC has embraced the team relay concept for the Youth Olympic Games,” said Loreen Barnett, Secretary General of ITU. “It’s a wonderful way to showcase triathlon’s exciting action and represents a huge step toward our hope of adding a team relay in future Olympic Games.”

The sport of triathlon made its debut at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.