The World Triathlon Championships in Torremolinos, Spain, turned tragic on Thursday as two athletes lost their lives while competing in the sprint category. The international sporting community was deeply saddened by the passing of a Mexican athlete and a British competitor during the first day of the championships.
World Triathlon released a statement confirming the deaths, expressing condolences to the families, friends, and national federations of the athletes. The organization, alongside the Spanish Federation and local organizers, is working closely with the affected families to provide support during this difficult time.
The Mexican Triathlon Federation identified their athlete as 79-year-old Roger Mas Colomer, who was participating in the Age-Group category. British Triathlon also confirmed the passing of one of its Age-Group members but chose not to disclose the athlete’s name, citing respect for the family’s privacy. Both federations expressed deep sorrow for the losses.
No official cause of death has been released for either competitor, and event organizers are yet to provide further details. Both athletes were participating in the Age-Group races, which allow non-professional triathletes to compete against others within their age band.
The Age-Group race format consists of a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer cycle, and a 5-kilometer run. The championship in Torremolinos is hosting over 5,500 athletes, with more than 4,000 in the Age-Group category, representing 79 countries.
The World Triathlon Championships, which started on Thursday, will continue through the weekend and conclude with the Elite Men’s Finals on Sunday.