Honolulu will again be the site of an Olympic Triathlon Trial, USA Triathlon announced yesterday. It is one of three sites where American triathletes can attempt to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The triathlon team will have a maximum of three slots per gender based on country and athlete rankings, which will be finalized after the 2008 World Championships in Vancouver.

The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team selection process for triathlon begins Sept. 15 and 16 at the Beijing World Cup, where the first male and female American athletes to finish will make the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team.

The next male and female triathlon team members will be the top U.S. finishers at the Honolulu Triathlon April 26.

The final team members will be selected following the Hy-Vee Triathlon in Des Moines, Iowa, June 22.

"Obviously, Beijing is the course the athletes will be racing in 2008," said USAT Sport Performance Director Scott Schnitzspahn. "Honolulu matches the climbing the athletes will experience on the bike, it's a non-wet suit swim, and a flat run."

In 2004, Hunter Kemper and Barbara Lindquist won the Honolulu qualifying slots. Susan Williams was third in the women's race. She became the first American to win an Olympic medal, taking bronze in Athens.