Two triathletes die at the World Triathlon Championship in Torremolinos
The opening day of the Triathlon World Championships taking place in Torremolinos (Malaga) has been marked by a double tragedy that has shocked the world of triathlon.
Two age group (veteran) competitors died on Thursday in separate incidents during the competition.
Both cases occurred while the triathletes were competing in the sprint distance, which included a 750-meter swim and a 5-kilometer run.
The first incident took place during the swimming segment, in the waters of the Los Alamos beach. Roger Mas Colomer, a 79-year-old Mexican national, suffered a cardiac arrest while competing.
Despite the immediate efforts of the rescue services, it was unfortunately not possible to save his life.
The swimming segment, although short in distance, is always a considerable challenge, especially for older athletes, as it requires maintaining a constant pace in often unpredictable water conditions.
The second tragic incident occurred during the foot race. A 57-year-old British athlete collapsed on the Promenade from Torremolinos around 16:15 p.m.
Witnesses of the event immediately called the emergency services, who quickly responded to try to revive him.
However, the athlete could not be resuscitated and died of cardiac arrest. Out of respect for the family's privacy, no further personal details about the athlete have been disclosed.
Reactions of the Organization
La Organization of the Torremolinos Triathlon World Championship confirmed that neither of the two deaths was the result of an accident, but rather of cardiac arrests that occurred during the competition.
During the medal ceremony on Thursday, a minute of silence was observed in honour of the two deceased triathletes. The atmosphere was solemn, and many of the participants showed their respect for the athletes and their families.
In a statement, the Mexican Triathlon Federation confirmed the identity of the deceased Mexican athlete, Roger Mas Colomer, expressing deep regret for the loss.
The British Federation issued a brief statement confirming the tragic news, without offering further details about the triathlete's identity.
Despite the shock of the sad news, the organization decided to continue with the tests, which will run until next Sunday.
According to Spanish Federation of TriathlonThe championship features the participation of more than 5.500 athletes, making this event one of the most important on the international calendar.
From Triathlon News we send our deepest condolences to family and friends
