Editing Triathlon (section)

=== Conflict ===
Two major rule making bodies, the ITU and WTC, had an overlap of rules and authority, an issue which began to create conflict in the 2000s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.runningnetworkarchives.com/runnertriathletenews/news/413.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020722083118/http://www.runningnetworkarchives.com/runnertriathletenews/news/413.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 July 2002|title=Ironman Triathlon to take ITU to court to retain name|website=runningnetworkarchives.com|access-date=15 March 2019}}</ref> This culminated in 2005 when the ITU and USAT asked all national triathlon federations to refuse to continue sanctioning any WTC events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.triathlon.org/news/article/usat_breaks_with_ironman_races|title=USAT Breaks with Ironman Races|last=Union|first=International Triathlon|date=13 June 2005|website=Triathlon.org|language=en|access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref> The reasons for this stemmed from WTC not recognising the ITU as the sport's governing body as WTC was attempting to set up their own federation. Furthermore, ITU and USAT argued against supporting WTC because they were a profit driven organisation, that it was directly conflicting with ITU titles, such as the long and standard distance world championship, and that the WTC was not following [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA) rules. If ITU member nations did not comply with International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter rules they risked being excluded from the Olympic program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.triathlon.org/news/article/congress_votes_to_no_longer_sanction_ironman|title=Congress votes to no longer sanction Ironman|last=Union|first=International Triathlon|date=14 September 2005|website=Triathlon.org|language=en|access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> However, in 2006, the ITU backed down on its stance allowing national federations to once again sanction WTC events. This was due to an out-of-court settlement days before a lawsuit was to be argued at the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_and_wtc_agree_to_settle_out_of_court|title=ITU and WTC Agree to Settle Out of Court|last=Union|first=International Triathlon|date=5 May 2006|website=Triathlon.org|language=en|access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref> This settlement had a large effect on WTC races, including WADA membership for the WTC and out-of-competition testing for elite athletes.

Since 2008, coinciding with leadership changes at both the ITU and WTC, the two organisations have been steadily working together. Efforts in 2012<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ironman.com/triathlon-news/articles/2012/01/itu-and-wtc-look-to-work-together.aspx|title=ITU and WTC Look to Work Together|website=IRONMAN.com|language=en-US|access-date=11 February 2019|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228065834/http://www.ironman.com/triathlon-news/articles/2012/01/itu-and-wtc-look-to-work-together.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_ironman_hold_historic_meeting|title=ITU & IRONMAN hold historic meeting|last=Union|first=International Triathlon|date=23 June 2014|website=Triathlon.org|language=en|access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref> resulted in the announcement that Ironman would standardise the rule set for its 2015 races and would start the unification toward ITU rules on long-distance racing with specific interest on the drafting and penalty rules.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://triathlonmagazine.ca/news/ironman-itu-confirm-global-standarization/|title=Ironman and ITU confirm global {{as written|standar|ization [sic]}} |date=13 February 2015|website=Triathlon Magazine Canada|language=en-CA|access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.endurancebusiness.com/2015/industry-news/aligning-with-itu-global-standardization-of-ironman-competition-rules/|title=Aligning with ITU: global standardization of IRONMAN competition rules|last=Gary|date=13 February 2015|website=endurancebusiness.com|language=en-GB|access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref>

In 2017, the ITU and WTC signed a memorandum of understanding in which the two organisations stated they will:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eu.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2017/01/ironman-partners-with-itu.aspx|title=IRONMAN Partners with the International Triathlon Union|website=IRONMAN.com|language=en-US|access-date=16 February 2019|archive-date=3 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703092745/http://eu.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2017/01/ironman-partners-with-itu.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* Harmonise anti-doping efforts
* Fully establish the ITU as the singular international federation for triathlon
* Develop a unified athlete focused rule set for specific distance categories
* Align efforts to foster the growth and development of the sport