Cozumel, Q.R. — A competitor in Cozumel’s Ironman 70.3 died Sunday from medical complications during a swim competition. The unnamed participant was showing signs of distress while in the water. They were rushed to Cozumel hospital but were pronounced dead shortly after being admitted.
In a statement from event organizers, they reported that aquatic safety personnel noticed the competitor showing signs of distress while completing the open water course.
Rescue and medical care protocols were immediately activated and the athlete was pulled from the water and transported to a nearby hospital. Despite the medical team’s efforts, the participant died shortly after admission to hospital.
So far, no details regarding the athlete’s identity or the specific cause of death have been released out of respect for the family’s privacy.
Over the weekend, more than 2,500 competitors from around the world competed in the island’s 14th edition of the so-called Half Ironman. According to the official statement, the Sunday incident occurred during the 1.9-kilometer open water race.
In the island’s history of hosting the triathlon, three others died while competing. Those accidents, all reported to be cardiac arrests, happened in 2014, 2019 and 2021 respectively. The triathlon includes a 1.9 kilometer swim, a 90 kilometer bike ride and a 21.1kilometer long run.
