There will be no Ironman event in Ireland next year after organisers issued a statement yesterday saying that “Ironman Ireland, Cork will be taking a hiatus in 2024.”
It continued “We are thankful for the support of Cork County Council, and we appreciate their continued partnership and commitment as we work collectively under our host agreement towards bringing back the event in the strongest way possible in 2025 and beyond.”
The statement made no reference to the two competitors who died in the event last year, nor to the ongoing investigations into the breakdown in communication which led to heated debate after the tragedy over whether the swimming element should have gone ahead in challenging weather conditions.
Ironman and indeed certain Triathlons does come under the heading of extreme sport and there are dangers. So far in 2023 there are a reported 23 fatalities around the world, generally as a result of medical incidents and in 15 of those case during the swim section of the event.
That does not lessen the impact of the deaths of Ivan Chittenden and Brendan Wall in August but it does place in context that fact that not all danger can be eliminated and that is a deal which competitors are aware of.
Clearly every safety precaution needs to be in place and that is what will hopefully emerge from the investigations.
Cork County council have been strong supporters of the event, which is known around the world for the way in which the local community rows in to make it one of the friendliest on the global calendar, with many of the competitors staying in private homes and creating lasting relationships with the area.
A pause is right, an ending of that relationship would be a real shame.
