Notable Olympics participant: Manami Iijima never before did an Olympic Distance race

Few people – or at least few Europeans – will have heard of Manami Iijima, but the athlete from Guam is one of the most striking names on the start list for next Wednesday’s Olympic Triathlon for another reason. Reason: Iijima has never completed an Olympic Distance in official competition.

Iijima may never have done an officiel race over a 1500 meter swim, 40km bike and 10km run, but that doesn’t mean we should immediately expect little from her because of that. No doubt she will not compete for medals, but at various Asia Cups over the Sprint Distance she achieved top ten finishes. This year, Iijima was on the podium once: she finished second at the Asia Triathlon Cup & South Asian Triathlon Championships Pokhara on April 27.

Two weeks back, Iijima also competed in the WTCS Hamburg. There she finished 48th. Iijima never finished a top twenty at a World Triathlon Cup before. On August 5, 2023, she achieved her best result within that series: she finished 28th at the World Triathlon Cup Yeongdo.

Iijima is thus from Guam. Guam is an Oceanic island, part of the Micronesia region, and a separate territory of the United States.