Ironman Wales said the athlete received immediate medical care during the swim section of the Swansea race on Sunday 13 July, and died after four days in hospital
An athlete has died after competing in an Ironman triathlon event, organisers have confirmed.
The race, which took place on Sunday in Swansea, Wales, saw the competitor get “into difficulty” during the swimming section. The as-yet unnamed contestant’s death is the fourth inside two years following the demanding UK event.
They received immediate medical care and were taken to hospital, but in a statement Ironman officials confirmed on Wednesday that the athlete had died. It read: “It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of an athlete who competed in last weekend’s IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea triathlon. Approximately half-way into the swim portion of the race, swim safety personnel noticed and responded to an athlete in difficulty.
“The athlete received immediate medical care while being taken via boat to a designated extraction point on the harbour, where further treatment was administered. The athlete was then transported to the hospital where they continued to receive treatment, but sadly passed today.
“Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the athlete. We will continue to offer them our support and keep them in our thoughts as they go through this challenging time. We are deeply grateful to the swim safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical assistance.”
It follows the tragic death of grandfather Andrew Ireland, 61, of Bridgend, in 2023 when he drowned during the 750feet swim in the first section of the gruelling three-part race. Around 1,500 competitors set off for competition before both athletes and families witnessed attempts to rescue the grandfather.
Each year, thousands take part in the popular triathlon. Competitors embark on a 1.2-mile (1.9km) swim at the Prince of Wales Dock, followed by a single-loop 56-mile (90km) bike ride. The cycling route takes athletes through Mumbles and along the coastal clifftops of Gower, before heading out into rural Swansea and then back along Swansea Bay into the city.
They then return to Swansea, preparing for transition in the Maritime Quarter next to the River Tawe. Finally, participants tackle a 13.1-mile (21.1km) two-loop run course that leads them from the city centre, past Swansea Arena, towards Mumbles and then back to the finish line at the marina.
In 2023, two men died while taking part in an Ironman triathlon event in Co Cork, Ireland. The men, one aged in his 40s and the other in his 60s, died in separate incidents during the swimming segment of the triathlon held in Youghal. The men were pulled from the water by emergency services before being pronounced dead by medical personnel.
One of the participants is understood to have suffered a medical emergency in the harbour at the end of the swimming leg of the race. Gardai believe there was no foul play and are treating the deaths as a tragic incident.
A spokesperson said: “Gardai and emergency services are currently attending the scene of an incident in Youghal Co. Cork where two men have died at a sporting event this morning. Two men, aged 40s and 60s, were removed from the water by emergency services.
“They were pronounced deceased by medical personnel. The coroner has been notified. The organisers had decided to move the swim course further into the harbour and shorten it because of bad weather conditions.”
