competitors died at this week’s World Championships in Madrid, Spain.
One British and one Mexican competitor, both men competing in veteran age groups, died on Friday (AEDT) while competing at the Torremolinos, near Malaga on the Mediterranean Costa del Sol, their national federations and the sport’s governing body confirmed.
The Mexican Triathlon Federation announced “with deep sadness” that 79-year-old Roger Mas Colomer died during the event.
The British Federation didn’t name its athlete who passed away and neither organization announced a cause of death, although local media later said the British man was 57 years old and had died from an apparent heart attack.
American Branden Scheel, a 28-year-old who competes in and is a coach for triathlon and ironman events, was in Madrid and he has slammed the lack of organization and inexcusable deaths.
Scheel captioned a short video on Instagram: “Absolutely furious. We should not be losing athletes to poor awareness. Be better @worldtriathlon that was horrifying to see.”
Clearly shaken, he also recorded himself discussing the horrific events that had unfolded, blasting the rescue crafts that he said did virtually nothing to help.
“I just got back from the sprint distance,” Scheel begins.
“I just want to say, World Triathlon, that was some of the worst lifeguarding, the worst awareness, the worst communication I’ve seen at an event, ever.
“There was an older man that was clearly signaling for help a few hundred yards out from the finish.
“Everyone on shore saw it, everyone was yelling for somebody to go there.
“Kayaker (was) completely oblivious, paddling away. Jet ski nowhere in the vicinity, was just working their way up.
“After 20 minutes of chest compressions, I left. The worst crew I’ve ever seen working the water.
“You should absolutely be ashamed of yourself. Something needs to change. People should not be dying at triathlon.”
World Triathlon released a statement confirming two participants had died, stating: “Our deepest condolences go to their respective family, friends, National Federations and all the triathlon family.”
Leave a Reply