Details of whether triathlons are too unsafe to continue have been hotly contested after two experienced athletes died during the first lap of the course.
About 2,000 athletes competed in Ironman Cork, in Ireland, on Sunday after bad weather from Storm Betty pushed the 70.3-mile race back a day.
In the chaos of swimming legs – the first of three disciplines – Ireland’s Brendan Wall, 45, and Toronto player Ivan Chittenden, 64, were killed.
Triathlon Ireland has since claimed it notified Ironman organizers that it deemed the water too unsafe for racing ahead of the event, while Ironman claims it was not informed until much later.
About 2,000 athletes competed in Ironman Cork, in Ireland, on Sunday after bad weather from Storm Betty pushed the 70.3 distance back a day. David Quinn via Storyful
Darren Coombes, CEO of Triathlon Ireland – the body responsible for providing sanctions for races to go ahead – said in a statement that officials told organizers before the race it could not be allowed.
“For the Ironman Cork event, in line with normal training, Triathlon Ireland Technical Officers are present before the start of the race to check conditions and carry out a water safety assessment,” Mr Coombes said.
“Due to the adverse conditions on the day, prior to the start of the race, the Irish Triathlon Technical Officer confirmed to the race organizers that it was not possible to allow the race.
Triathlon Ireland claims it notified Ironman organizers that it deemed the water too unsafe for racing ahead of the event, while Ironman has claimed it was not informed until much later. David Quinn via Storyful
“As the investigation is ongoing, at this stage it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment other than to state that Triathlon Ireland will provide any assistance required by the authorities.”
Ironman however disputed the timing when it was notified to the organizers that the conditions were too unsafe to compete, claiming the call was not made until several hours after the swim had finished.
“A few hours after the swim was completed, they informed Ironman Ireland officials on site that they would not approve the restrictions for the event,” an email from Ironman, published by the CBC, read.
Ireland’s Brendan Wall (right), 45, and Toronto’s Ivan Chittenden (left), 64, killed in triathlon brawl.Lorraine Walsh/Facebook
The email detailed that the 70.3 event had been moved from Saturday to Sunday due to poor conditions and that the swimming courses for the full and half distances had also been shortened.
It claimed on the morning of the rescheduled race that “Ironman Ireland officials and a dedicated swim safety team carried out all standard safety protocol checks completed at each race and determined water conditions were safe for swimming.”
“Although conditions improved from Saturday, due to many safety reasons, it has been decided to shorten the swimming course for both races,” the email read.
Brendan Wall is survived by his fiancée Tina, his parents Oliver and Gertrude, one sister and two brothers. Brendan Wall/Facebook
The rough conditions were evident in footage shared online from the start of the race, with athletes seen running into choppy waves and struggling to get past them.
It has since been reported that swimmers were diverted from their original course after they entered the water by officers in kayaks and boats.
One competitor described feeling like a “packed sardine” in the mess of swimming.
The obituary for Ivan Chittenden celebrates the way his “love for life and ability, always, to see the positive, was a joy and inspiration to everyone he met.” Ivan Chittenden/Instagram
“I am one of the 70.3 Ironman participants. Race 70.3 was canceled on Saturday 19th due to unsafe conditions following Storm Betty. They rescheduled us and combined the 70.3 with the full distance Ironman Sunday 20,” he said.
“Sea conditions were still rough on Sunday morning, swimming continued with about 2,000 swimmers on the water. In the middle of the swim they made more changes and we were diverted. We are like packed sardines, confused and swimming in rough water.”
Although the start was staggered, he said the land waves meant the swimmers were finally coming together.
“People were shouting and pulling us to tell us to stop and go the other way … We were very confused about what happened in the middle of the swim,” said the competitor.
While the cause of the double tragedy remains under investigation, there are calls for athletes to measure their own ability against the situation when deciding whether it is safe for them to compete.
When registering for an Ironman event, which costs more than $1000 for the full distance and more than $500 for the half, competitors must sign a waiver accepting full responsibility for their own safety.
“This is very sad. But, as athletes, we have to put ourselves first,” wrote one athlete online.
“Having seen footage of the swim, the water looks dangerous,” said another, arguing the death was avoidable.”
Brendan Wall, from the UK, is survived by his fiancee Tina, his parents Oliver and Gertrude, a sister, and two brothers.
He was buried after his funeral this week, where it was revealed he was “very excited and had a big smile on his face” when he entered the water.
Family members and mourners followed as Brendan Wall’s coffin was carried from St Brigid’s Church in Grangegeeth, Co. Meath, after his funeral service.ZUMAPRESS.com
His family raced to his support and waved him off.
The obituary for Ivan Chittenden celebrates the way his “love for life and ability, always, to see the positive, was a joy and inspiration to everyone he met.”
“Ivan was a consummate professional, a good friend, and an encouraging mentor to all who knew him,” part of the tribute read.
He has long been a runner and became an endurance athlete in his early 50s, competing in Ironman races around the world, from Canada to Zell am See, Austria, and finishing all six World Marathon Majors – Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City and Tokyo.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Siobhan Hyland, her stepchildren, Jack and Kate, and her brother, Roger.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
