Following the para-triathlon and triathlon test events for the Rio 2016 Games on 1 and 2 August, US and British athletes joined local swimmers for a workshop to offer training tips. The workshops were held on Copacabana Beach in an initiative to connect with the local community ahead of the Games.

British para-triathletes Alison Patrick, Andrew Lewis, Joseph Townsend and Faye McClelland teamed with US triathletes Lindsey Jerdonek, Katie Zaferes, Tommy Zaferes, Kevin McDowell, Erin Jones and Chelsea Burns in the workshop. They opened the event with a question-and-answer session, with a massive crowd and media in attendance.

The athletes covered various topics, from technique to training tips, to sighting and more.

“It was a wonderful initiative to bring elite athletes to talk to us,” said doctor and amateur triathlete Feliciano Azevedo. “This brings the event closer to local people.”

Luiz Lima, a coach who represented Brazil in swimming at the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Games, was also present, and said: “It was a joy to share experiences with the best para-triathletes and triathletes in the world, who are fighting for a place at the Rio Games. It’s a real gift for us.”

Para-triathlon will make its Paralympic debut at Rio 2016, and athletes were able to test the course for the first time in early August.

Great Britain captured five medals, including Patrick’s gold in the women’s PT5 event. Her teammates Lewis and McClelland also saw podium finishes, taking bronze in the men’s PT2 and women’s PT3, respectively. Townsend just missed the podium with fourth in the men’s PT1.