Storm hangs over Ironman Cork
The waters may have calmed but there is still little clarity surrounding the timeline of events at Cork Ironman in which two competitors died.
County Meath native Brendan Wall (44) and retired Canadian accountant Ivan Chittenden (65) both died in separate incidents during the 1.9km swimming leg of the race in Youghal on Sunday.
The race had been postponed from Saturday due to poor weather conditions in the aftermath of Storm Betty. With conditions still far from perfect on Sunday, the race was allowed to go ahead despite Triathlon Ireland (TI), this country’s governing body for triathlon events, being unable to sanction the race after carrying out a water safe assessment. Event organisers Ironman Ireland and TI are now at loggerheads over when exactly TI had informed the organisers that they were unable to sanction the race.
In its most recent statement, TI insists its technical officials had informed organisers that the race could not be sanctioned before it got underway. The statement said: “Due to adverse conditions on the day before the start of the race, Triathlon Ireland technical officials confirmed to the race organisers that it was not possible to sanction the race.”
However, Ironman Ireland said safety was its utmost concern during the event, and that TI did not inform its onsite officials that they could not sanction the event until several hours after the swim was completed. Reports suggest that competitors were unaware that the race had not been sanctioned when entering the water.
Shortly after news broke of the tragic deaths, concerning video footage surfaced of swimmers entering rough waters at Youghal Beach.
An Ironman Ireland statement said: “Ironman works in collaboration with national federations around the world as we organise over 150 Ironman and ironman 70.3 events annually. As such, federation representatives were present during the event and performed their duties.
“Several hours after the swim was completed, they communicated to the onsite Ironman Ireland officials that they would not approve the sanctioning for the event.”
Sinn Féin have called for an independent investigation into the incident, calling on the Department of Sport to look at what statutory body is best suited for such an investigation.
In a statement issued to the Cork Independent, a department spokesperson said Minister of State for Sport, Thomas Byrne TD has called on Sport Ireland to liaise with Triathlon Ireland in relation to the incident and to provide any suitable support that may be required.
The spokesperson said: "It is understood that the Gardaí are currently preparing a file for the attention of the Cork City Coroner. On this basis, it would not be appropriate for the Department, Sport Ireland or the Minister to further comment on matters which are subject to an investigation by the relevant authorities. It is important to allow the relevant authorities to conduct their investigations at this time in the interests of obtaining adequate answers as to how these tragic deaths occurred."
Funerals
Brendan Wall, who was based in the UK, was laid to rest in his local parish in county Meath yesterday (Wednesday). He leaves behind his fiancé Tina, parents Oliver and Gertrude, brothers Martin and Joe, sister Maria, and extended family and friends.
Ivan Chittenden is reported to have been cremated at Rocky Island Crematorium in Cork before his remains were repatriated back to Canada by family members.