According to the latest Corbis Creative IQ Trends report, the popularity of triathlons has exploded since their introduction as an Olympic sport at the 2000 Sydney games. Economic pressures have helped, as people increasingly seek positive outlets to exert control over their lives.
From a fitness perspective, balancing the different activities of swimming, biking and running appears to be a welcome alternative to the monotony of a single type of exercise. Many people are also drawn to the social aspect of triathlon training, with families and friends training together. Newfound mainstream appeal has triathlons filling up faster than ever, with the more popular races reaching maximum capacity within hours, according to Corbis.
In less than a decade, triathlons have grown to a global phenomena. There are currently thousands of races in over 120 countries, uniting millions of participants. Further growth is anticipated this year, as seven upcoming World Championship events offer athletes a chance to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
The report is available for download at the Corbis Creative Boutique.