A 57-year-old British athlete tragically passed away during the Torremolinos-Andalucia Triathlon Championship Finals in the Costa del Sol, Spain.
The athlete suffered a cardiac arrest while running in the event, which was held on October 17, 2024. In a separate but related incident, a 79-year-old Mexican man also lost his life during the same triathlon, reportedly dying while participating in the swimming portion of the race. Both men were competing in the veteran category.
According to Spanish media outlet Malaga Hoy, the deaths occurred within minutes of each other, shortly after 4 p.m. Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene, and paramedics attempted CPR to save the British athlete. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
The World Triathlon organization later issued a statement confirming the tragic events: “It is with deep sadness that we inform you that two competitors (one from Mexico, one from Britain) have died at the World Triathlon Torremolinos-Andalucia AG Sprint Distance World Championships.” The organization also expressed its support for the families of the deceased athletes, stating that they were in contact with the families to “provide all the necessary support in these difficult and sad times.”
The triathlon, a sprint distance race, involved a 750-meter swim, 20 kilometers of cycling, and a five-kilometer run. The Torremolinos event is part of the World Triathlon series and takes place annually in October, attracting over 5,500 athletes from more than 80 countries.
This devastating news has cast a shadow over the event, which typically draws elite and amateur athletes from across the globe to compete in one of the sport’s premier competitions. The triathlon community, both in Spain and internationally, mourns the loss of these two athletes.
