Australian Team Profile
Australia's proud and passionate triathlon past has not yet translated into the ultimate success at Olympic level.
That, however, could change when five Aussie athletes tackle the grueling Beijing Olympic triathlon course located in the scenic Ming Tomb Reservoir in the Changping District of northern Beijing.
Three-time world champion Emma Snowsill heads the list of contenders from our shores.
The 27-year-old, who won her first world title in 2003, was ranked No.1 in the world in 2004 but was not picked for the Athens Games.
She has since triumphed at the 2005 and 2006 World Championships and added Commonwealth Games gold in Melbourne to her impressive list of achievements.
Snowsill is joined on the women's team by Emma Moffatt and Erin Densham.
Australia will send just two men to compete in the triathlon; Brad Kahlefeldt and Courtney Atkinson.
Kahlefeldt is favoured to outdo his compatriot after winning gold in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The 27-year-old known as 'Sticksy' will be keen to become Australia's first male Olympic medallist in the triathlon.
Since the event made its Olympic debut in Sydney, Australia has taken home a pair of silver medals.
Australia's Michellie Jones finished a close second behind Brigitte McMahon of Switzerland in a sprint finish in 2000.
Four years later, Loretta Harrop led for most of the event only to be passed with 400 metres left in the run and had to settle for silver.
The best-performed Australian male triathlete has been Greg Bennett who finished fourth in Athens.
Australian Olympic Triathlon Team
Men: Brad Kahlefeldt, Courtney Atkinson
Women: Emma Snowsill, Emma Moffatt and Erin Densham
Previous Australian Medallists:
Silver:
Michellie Jones (2000) - Women's
Loretta Harrop (2004) - Women's