Are all triathletes "elite"

petitmember

Hey, long time lurker here. Saw another thread mention an "elite" area for discussion. This got me thinking- aren't all triathletes "elite"? I mean we do something that less than one half of one percent of the general population does-imo that makes us elite. Just wanted to know what people think. Pretty sure the Ironman is regarded as the hardest task possible in sport, sure look at how Lance Armstrong could only manage a third place finish in a half IM.

Oryx

Whats this 'we', paleface?

Fazz

Is it that time already??

Tunney is that you?

No... You'd know Lance was 2nd....


Pros are elite.
Those who earn their living from triathlons are elite.
Possibly a few more high achieving age groupers who can mix it with the pro's results wise could also be considered elite.

Elite is being at the top end of competitive race results of a sport.

End.

BTH

Is it Friday already??

petitmember

After my IM I certainly felt like a badass. Honestly, I wathc those Kenyan runners that everyone calls "elite" and all I can think is how they couldn't hack it in tri.

paulmorro

Lol I definitely wouldn't call myself elite!

Any sport is done by a minority of the population. Elite would only make sense as the best cohort within the sport.

Besides, I'd find a marathon harder than a tri. And a 100 miler run harder than an ironman (like maybe..... Not going there in this lifetime!) Just cause we do tris doesn't mean we're the best things out there!

Redzah

petitmember wrote: »

Hey, long time lurker here. Saw another thread mention an "elite" area for discussion. This got me thinking- aren't all triathletes "elite"? I mean we do something that less than one half of one percent of the general population does-imo that makes us elite. Just wanted to know what people think. Pretty sure the Ironman is regarded as the hardest task possible in sport, sure look at how Lance Armstrong could only manage a third place finish in a half IM.

I doubt it, anybody can do a triathlon, big, small, fat, skinny, ugly etc. as long as all their limbs are in order and they have a strong mind and therefore i don't think it makes somebody elite. Only those at the top of their competitive sport are considered elite IMO

petitmember

I think you guys sell yourselves short- I find the tri community is like that. Too humble and too willing to downplay achievements.

RayCun

<mod>yellow card issued, don't be a muppet</mod>

EC1000

Stop feeding the trolls!

sconhome

You will find that 'elite' exits in every triathlete if you're good at anagrams.

Oryx

amphkingwest wrote: »

You will find that 'elite' exits in every triathlete if you're good at anagrams.

No, a Triathlete is really a Title Hater.