The sun shone, crowds lined the streets and five more nations won places at next year’s Olympic Games as the Rio 2016 triathlon test event was staged in Copacabana on Sunday (2 August).

The USA’s Gwen Jorgensen cried with joy after winning the women’s race and with it a place in the Olympic Games. Silver and bronze went to British pair Non Stanford and Vicky Holland, who also guaranteed places for their National Olympic Committee (NOC) in Rio next year.

“I’m over the moon,” said an emotional Jorgensen, who finished in one hour, 58 minutes and 46 seconds. “I’ve been working towards this since the London Olympics (where she finished 38th) and I’m really looking forward to coming back next year.

“To be able to see the course was really important. It was great – an ocean swim, which is really nice, and can break it up a little bit. Then the hill on the bike course makes it difficult and entertaining. The crowd was amazing and they definitely pushed me along. It felt like there were people everywhere along the course cheering.”

Silver medallist Stanford, who finished in 1:59:05, has also enjoyed the atmosphere in Rio. “It’s a very vibrant setting,” she said. “You can see that there is a definite passion for sport and exercise here – every time you go out there are hundreds of people on their bikes, or skateboarding or running, or playing basketball or volleyball or football. That’s awesome and that should translate into the Games and the atmosphere that the crowd creates.”

Silver medallist Non Stanford poses with the Rio 2016 logo (Rio 2016/Gaberiela Matos)

Holland, who took bronze in 1:59:27, trains and lives with team-mate Stanford. “We work so hard together, we know what we’ve been through together, and then we get to stand on the podium together and share it, that’s extra special.” On the course, Holland said: “I think it’s really great. It’s a good, hard, really honest course.”

London 2012 bronze medallist Erin Densham of Australia pulled out during the race, while London 2012 silver medallist Lisa Norden of Sweden did not compete due to an injury sustained on Saturday.

The men’s race was won by Spain’s Javier Gomez – the current world no.1 who won silver at the London 2012 Olympic Games and finished fourth at Beijing 2008. France’s Vincent Luis came second and an impressive running section saw South Africa’s Richard Murray finish third. All three men on the podium won places for their NOCs at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“The course is very challenging, in particular the cycling part,” said Gomez, who won in 1:48:26. “We had passionate support from the public all the time. I’d like to thank everyone who came to watch. They made my win even more satisfying. I hope to have the same success next year.”

(L-R)  Vincent Luis, Javier Gomez and Richard Murray with their medals in Copacabana (Photo: Rio 2016/Alexandre Loureiro)

Luis, who took silver in 1:48:40, was delighted to have an Olympic spot for his NOC: “It’s amazing. I was under pressure to finish in the top three for the Olympics. I was struggling in the last five kilometres, and I knew third would be good, but I said ‘you have get second’.  It was nice to race in front of great people and in a great atmosphere and in a great place.”

Murray admitted he superseded his own expectations in taking the third Olympic slot “If you told me before that I’d win an Olympic place, I’d have said you were lying,” he said. “I love the course, you have to work on the bike, and you have one of the best views in the world. Every inch of the course had spectators and for a test event that’s very special. That helps us push through.”

London 2012 Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee had a disappointing afternoon, dropping from third to finish 10th during the run. However, Luis warned against writing off the British athlete. “He will be there next year, I’m sure,” said the Frenchman.

USA and Great Britain join Switzerland, Chile and Brazil in confirming their places in the women’s event at Rio 2016, while Spain, France and South Africa join Great Britain, Mexico and Brazil in having places secured in the men’s race.

Follow the race to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games here.

Rio2016.com is not an absolute authority on qualification for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which is an ongoing process. Final places will only be confirmed in July 2016 (for the Olympic Games) and August 2016 (for the Paralympic Games). The qualification systems are defined by each sport’s respective International Federation and the International Olympic Committee or International Paralympic Committee, and are subject to change. When an athlete or team wins a quota place for their nation, the final decision on whether this ‘slot’ is used and which athletes are sent is taken by the respective National Olympic Committee or National Paralympic Committee (NOC or NPC). Even when athletes win a ‘nominal’ place for themselves, NOCs/NPCs may have to decide who to send if the number of qualified athletes from one country exceeds the quota