A triathlon has come under fire after two athletes died during the event.
The sport’s governing body has confirmed the death of a competitor from Mexico and a competitor from Great Britain during the Torremolinos-Andalucia Triathlon Championship Finals in Spain on Thursday.
“It is with deep sadness that we can inform that two participants have died at the World Triathlon Torremolinos-Andalucía AG Sprint Distance World Championships, taking place today, October 17,” World Triathlon said in a statement.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
“Our deepest condolences go to their respective family, friends, National Federations and all the triathlon family.
“World Triathlon, the Spanish Federation and the LOC are in contact with their families and NFs (national federations) to provide all the support needed in these difficult and sad times.”
But professional triathlete and coach Branden Scheel has lashed the organisers of the event.
“Absolutely furious,” he said on Instagram.
“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 signalling for help a few hundred yards out from the finish. Everyone on shore saw it, everyone was yelling for somebody to go there.
“The kayaker is 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 be absolutely ashamed of yourself. Something needs to change. People should not be dying at triathlon.”
British Triathlon confirmed the death of a member of its Age-Group team but did not name the athlete. But the Mexican Triathlon Federation revealed that their athlete was 79-year-old Roger Mas Colomber.
“It is with deep sadness that we report the death of Mexican triathlete Roger Mas Colomer, aged 79, during his participation in the Triathlon World Championship on the afternoon of Thursday, October 17, in Torremolinos, Spain,” it said in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter).
“We deeply regret this event and share the grief of his family and friends.”
British Triathlon the family of their athlete had been notified and “we are supporting them at this time”.
“British Triathlon and the Age-Group Team send their condolences and we request that their privacy be respected at this time,” it said.
No cause of death was given for either competitor.
The Age-Group category refers to non-professional triathletes who compete against other non-pros within a five-year age band. Age-Group competitors receive the title of ‘World Triathlete’.
Each Age-Group race featured a 750m (around 0.47 miles) swim, a 20km (just over 12.4 miles) cycle and a 5km (3.1 miles) run.
The World Triathlon Championships are being hosted in the municipality of Torremolinos in southern Spain.
More than 5,500 athletes are competing, with over 4,000 of those being Age-Group racers. Seventy-nine countries are being represented across the championships.
The championships began on Thursday with the Under-23 Finals and will conclude on Sunday with the Elite Men’s Finals.
News agency CNN has reached out to event organisers for comment.
– With CNN