Search
shop

Validation curveball for Taylor Knibb’s Olympics / IMWC double bid in 2024?

Will Taylor Knibb line up at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice next year?
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Taylor Knibb isn’t yet sure whether she’ll attempt – or be able to attempt – an Olympics / IRONMAN World Championship double in 2024.

The American was arguably the most talked about contender ahead of this year’s IMWC in Kona before finishing fourth on what was her full-distance debut.

She had booked her place in the race by virtue of her IRONMAN 70.3 Worlds win in 2022. And though she defended that crown in 2023, there’s a crucial caveat to her lining up in the IMWC in Nice next year as she explained to Bob Babbitt in his latest ‘Breakfast With Bob’ interview which is embedded below.

Another box to tick

For IRONMAN have brought back their validation criteria, whether that’s for defending, previous or 70.3 Worlds champions.

It’s not an issue for most but for those who are focussed on short course, especially in an Olympic year, it’s a significant added complication.

Reigning men’s Olympic and former IMWC Kristian Blummenfelt alluded to it in our recent interview with him and Knibb outlined what her options are – and why neither she nor Blummenfelt can just presume they’ll be given a wildcard if they don’t take gold in Paris next summer.

She explained: “The four ways I think I can validate if I’m reading the thing correctly is, one, do an Ironman. Do two 70.3s. Win gold in Paris. Or get a wildcard invitation.”

Full focus on July 31st – for now

There are 53 days between the Olympics and the women’s IMWC in Nice next year and the ‘two 70.3s’ option would have to be ticked off well before the Olympics as the cut-off date for that is June 30th whereas the IRONMAN deadline is August 19th.

Knibb continued: “At the end of the day it might be harder for me to actually get to Nice having qualified via the 70.3 Worlds. Because if I hadn’t qualified it might be easier for IRONMAN to justify an invitation.

“But with their validation rule – and they want to make sure Lucy [Charles-Barclay], Anne [Haug] and Laura [Philipp] validate as well as previous champions like Chelsea [Sodaro] and Daniela [Ryf] – it’s probably tougher, but we’ll see.

“I still have no idea what my schedule will be next year apart from July 31st [the Olympics]. One race. 8am. And then I don’t know.”

Knibb has enjoyed an incredible season again, qualifying for the Olympics, defending her 70.3 Worlds crown, winning the 70.3 PTO US Open as well as 70.3 Boulder, plus that fourth in Kona – all of which sees her at #3 in the PTO world rankings.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Vincent Luis San Francisco 49ers tri suit 2025
Short-course triathlon great Vincent Luis is OUT of T100 London
Marquardt Hogenhaug Foley IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
‘World Championship level’ – Marquardt says bike bar was raised at Lake Placid
Solveig Lovseth wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 women’s results: Løvseth shows she’s the real deal and next Norwegian superstar
Matthew Marquardt wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 men’s results: Marquardt wins as defending champ EXPLODES on the run
Matthew Marquardt IRONMAN Cairns 2025 Finish Line
WATCH AGAIN: IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 as Løvseth and Marquardt bag brilliant wins
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...