As well as being a chance for the Olympic organisers to test out the course, this week’s races will also be crucial in deciding who gets to compete in Tokyo.

Team GB will take up to three male and three female individual triathletes to the 2020 Games and finishes in qualification races can help the competitors to book their seats on the plane.

As returning medallists, both Jonny Brownlee and Vicky Holland – who took silver and bronze respectively in Rio - need a podium finish in their events in order to meet British Triathlon’s strict criteria for re-selection.

Also looking to impress the selectors are 2013 World Champion Non Stanford, Jess Learmonth, Georgia Taylor-Brown, Sophie Coldwell, Alex Yee and Tom Bishop.

Alistair Brownlee, who took gold ahead of his brother in the 2016 Olympics, isn’t competing this week but could qualify through future events.

Image source, Getty Images

With just a year to go until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics get underway, this week’s event is a chance for organisers to put the course through its paces.

The Olympic triathlon will start in the shadow of Tokyo’s stunning Rainbow Bridge as the competitors start with a 1.5km swim in Tokyo Bay before embarking on eight laps of a 5km cycle course around Tokyo Harbour.

Once that’s over, there’s the small matter of a 10km run to contend with as the athletes make a dash for the finish line on the purpose-built track around Odaiba Park.

For many competitors, the greatest challenge will be the heat and humidity. With temperatures set to be over 30 degrees and humidity expected to be more than 82%, the sweltering conditions will give the Olympic hopefuls an insight into how they might cope if they make it to the main event next year.

Due to that extreme heat officials have reduced the 10km run to 5km as temperatures are set to reach "very high risk" levels.

Image source, Getty Images

There are three races from Tokyo live on the BBC over the coming days with all of the action broadcast live via the BBC Sport website and app. You can also watch everything on catch-up on the BBC iPlayer.

Wednesday 14 August

23:15-01:50 – Women’s race, BBC Sport online & Connected TV

Thursday 15 August

23:15-01:50 – Men’s race, BBC Sport online & Connected TV

Saturday 17 August

23:45-01:50 – Mixed relay, BBC Sport online & Connected TV

Like running, swimming or cycling? Fancy doing all three, one after the other? If you answered yes to the previous two questions then triathlon is the sport for you!

The sport has a range of distances and formats to cut your teeth on, and as long as your daily exercise includes all three disciplines, you can call yourself a triathlete with pride.

Find your local club by using British Triathlon's club finder, external or read more from our guide here.