Two men were tragically killed at an Ironman event in Youghal, Co Cork on Sunday after difficulties arose during the swimming portion of the race.
Tributes have been paid online to the two men who lost their lives.
Organizers confirmed the deaths of two swimmers in separate incidents on the 1.7km swim course on Sunday morning.
Cork BEO said the men struggled in the water and died despite desperate efforts by security personnel to save them.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene, with one man believed to have received emergency medical treatment shortly before being pulled from the harbour waters, reports The Mirror.
A garda spokesman told The Irish Mirror: “Gardaí 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, Sunday, 20th August 2023. 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,” reports The Mirror.
It is understood one of the dead was an Irish national who lived in the UK, while the other was possibly a Canadian national who had travelled to Ireland to attend the event.
Event organizers said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of two race participants at the IRONMAN 70.3 Ireland, Cork 2023. During the swim portion of Sunday’s race, safety personnel provided immediate medical attention upon recognising the athletes were in need of assistance. We share our greatest sympathies with the families and friends of the athletes and will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time. We thank the safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athletes with medical assistance,” reports The Mirror.
More than 2,000 competitors took part in the weekend event which had to be postponed on Sunday due to the effects of Storm Betty earlier this weekend. The swimming portion of the race had to be changed due to bad weather.
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