I recently found this article entitled, "How The Triathlon Became The New Status Symbol" in an issue of Details magazine:
A few quotes from the article will give you a flavor of
Details point of view:
"[T]oday's executive is just as likely to be a triathlete, whereas 15 or 20 years ago that person would have always been a golfer--golf would have been the way you bonded with other executives."
The article covers a little of the history of the sport, namely how it began as a counter-culture niche and has grown to a pop phenomenon with "no shortage of pussy races that for instance, substitute 15 pool laps for multi-mile open-ocean crossings."
"For a decent tri bike," he says, "you're spending $4,000 or $5,000...That's a lot of money for a guy to just be able to say, 'Hey, I finished a triathlon.' Yes, and as with a membership at Winged Foot or a share in NetJets, that's part of the appeal."
My view:
- The pool swims are a great way to get people started in the sport (and the lifestyle) so they can build up to the more extreme races.
- Your accomplishment as a triathlete has nothing to do with the cost of your bike. Your heart does.
- Skull and bones sculptures made with traithlon equipment look funny.
