Triathlons: Changing out of swimsuits in public?

Question

There are a number of pix on the Web showing guys changing from trunks to biking gear in public. Googling
triathlon "public changing" OR "public nudity" OR "naked in public"
finds over 9,000 hits, and among the first 100, all relevant cases either prohibit such behavior or specifically require changing inside tents or buildings. Which suggests that there is reason to state an explicit prohibition.
Given the above, my questions are: Did it use to be allowed for triathlon guys to change in public? Are there any races where it's still permitted, and/or where guys still do so anyway? Are the published bans regularly observed and/or enforced?

PK: I said neither that I was offended nor that I was bringing my field glasses. And you haven't answered the question.

Answer 1

In the early days of triathlon, transitions often include displays of public nudity particularly in the swim-to-bike transition. As the sport grew in popularity, multi-sport clothing began to be developed that made "nuding" unneccesary and actual sped up transition times. All USAT sanctioned events now explicitly prohibit nudity at any time:

"Indecent Exposure. Public nudity at any time during the event is prohibited. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty"

Answer 2

Swimsuits For Triathlons

Answer 3

So...

You answered my question so I figured I'd look at yours.

I did the good thing, and I never opened any sites, but most banners said stuff about tents and whatnot's like you mentioned.

I figure that if you wear the swimming stuff right under your clothes then you just take off your clothes behind a rock... Unless you're actually racing the triathlon for speed.

Plus now they have fabric that work for swimming/bike/track, and it doesn't matter if they get wet.



I guess that there's always going to be someplace where changing in public is allowed though, and even if it's not allowed; it'll probably still happen.





Thanks for answering my questions (double thank yous again), it's been very insightful.

Answer 4

If you are offended, then might I suggest you stay the hell away from triathlons. Pick up a bigger burden such as strip clubs or gay bars, bingo parlors, etc.