TWO PARTICIPANTS FROM overseas have died in separate incidents this morning during the Ironman competition in Youghal, Co Cork.
One of the men who died is Irish but had been living in the UK whilst the other is a native of Canada.
One of the men is in his sixties whilst the other is in his forties. The men had been taking part in the 1.7km swim portion of the event when they got in to difficulties.
Both men were removed from the water by emergency services and were pronounced dead by medical personnel.
The swimmers were among several thousand competitors who entered the water at the Front Strand in Youghal.
Some were competing in the 70.3 mile half triathlon whilst others were taking part in the full 226.3 km full race.
The 70.3 mile event had to be postponed yesterday (Sat) in the aftermath of Storm Betty.
It was rescheduled for today along with the main Ironman event. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
The event is continuing.
I had an Olympic distance triathlon swim get cut in half (from 1500 m to 750 m swim + a 1500 m beach run before transition 1) on the mere suspicion that conditions might be bad. The call was made the night before, and then in the morning it was still as glass. This event was run by the Iron Man company (World Triathlon Corporation), too.
I cannot fathom running a race in conditions that bad, especially that close to rocks.