- Two veteran athletes died during the World Championships in Spain.
- Criticism arose over poor rescue response and event safety protocols.
- World Triathlon and national federations expressed condolences.
The 2024 Triathlon World Championships in Torremolinos, Spain, turned tragic as two competitors, a 79-year-old Mexican and a 57-year-old British athlete, died during the event.
American triathlete Branden Scheel, who was present, voiced outrage at the event’s lack of safety measures, particularly highlighting inadequate response from lifeguards.
Safety Failures Under Scrutiny After Two Triathletes Die at World Championships
Two men, a Mexican and a British triathlete, tragically lost their lives during the World Championships in Spain, sparking concerns over the event’s safety measures. Both men were competing in veteran age-group categories. While the Mexican Federation confirmed the identity of 79-year-old Roger Mas Colomer, the British Federation has chosen not to release the name of their athlete, though reports suggest the cause of death was a heart attack.
The sport’s global governing body, World Triathlon, issued a statement offering condolences to the families of the deceased but avoided commenting on the criticisms surrounding the event’s safety protocols. Many within the triathlon community, however, have raised questions about the adequacy of on-site emergency response services.
Branden Scheel, a 28-year-old American athlete and coach, voiced sharp criticism of the event’s handling of safety, posting a video on social media detailing the alarming lack of response by lifeguards. Scheel explained how an athlete had been clearly signaling for help but received no immediate support, calling the event’s lifeguarding and rescue operations the “worst” he had ever witnessed.
With over 4,000 veteran triathletes registered, questions about ensuring the safety of older athletes have been raised. The World Championships are a significant event, yet this tragedy has placed a spotlight on potential gaps in emergency planning and response that must be addressed to prevent further loss of life.
This tragic incident has cast a shadow over the 2024 Triathlon World Championships, raising urgent questions about athlete safety and the effectiveness of rescue protocols in the sport.
“We should not be losing athletes to poor awareness. Be better @worldtriathlon that was horrifying to see.” – Branden Scheel, Triathlete
