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Despite Risks, Triathlons Surge in Popularity
The death of a triathlete in New York City underscores the potential risks for weekend warriors who take on extreme endurance challenges like marathons, triathlons and mountain climbing.
30-Second Summary
A 32-year-old man from Buenos Aires died during the swim portion of Sunday’s Nautica New York City Triathlon. Esteban Neiva made it through more than half of the 1500-meter swim before having to be pulled from the water.
The race took place on a hot, humid day in New York, and many competitors complained of jellyfish in the Hudson River. Some athletes were stung, while one dropped out of the race early because of the jellyfish.
Neiva’s was the fourth death of a triathlete in the United States since May 2008, all of which occurred during the swim portions, according to the New York Times.
After a 38-year-old man died during the swim portion of a triathlon in Massachusetts in 2007, race officials admitted that amateurism can be a problem, and USA Triathlon has considered requiring participants “to have competed in a number of smaller triathlons before being allowed to register for others,” reported the Boston Globe.
Triathlons have become extremely popular in recent years since the sport was added to the Olympics, and shorter triathlons have become more commonplace. Even kids are training for triathlons.
More people are also running marathons and attempting to climb Mount Everest, both activities once considered solely the realm of professional athletes.
While triathlon officials view the sport as a serious endeavor, the prevalence of triathlons and varied training advice could convince too many people, regardless of fitness level, that they too are capable of competing in the grueling sport.
The race took place on a hot, humid day in New York, and many competitors complained of jellyfish in the Hudson River. Some athletes were stung, while one dropped out of the race early because of the jellyfish.
Neiva’s was the fourth death of a triathlete in the United States since May 2008, all of which occurred during the swim portions, according to the New York Times.
After a 38-year-old man died during the swim portion of a triathlon in Massachusetts in 2007, race officials admitted that amateurism can be a problem, and USA Triathlon has considered requiring participants “to have competed in a number of smaller triathlons before being allowed to register for others,” reported the Boston Globe.
Triathlons have become extremely popular in recent years since the sport was added to the Olympics, and shorter triathlons have become more commonplace. Even kids are training for triathlons.
More people are also running marathons and attempting to climb Mount Everest, both activities once considered solely the realm of professional athletes.
While triathlon officials view the sport as a serious endeavor, the prevalence of triathlons and varied training advice could convince too many people, regardless of fitness level, that they too are capable of competing in the grueling sport.
Headline Links: Another triathlon death
According to the New York Times, during the New York City Triathlon on July 20, a 32-year-old Argentine man died in the swim portion of the event. An autopsy for Esteban Neiva was scheduled for the following day. The race took place on a hot, humid day, and the Hudson River was full of stinging jellyfish, which caused one athlete to pull out of the race early.
Source: The New York Times
The New York Daily News reported that some spectators and athletes were concerned that Neiva’s death was related to a jellyfish sting, but marine biologist Jeff Levinton said stings from jellyfish in the New York region were “very unlikely” to cause cardiac arrest. According to one spectator, CPR was performed on Neiva for 10–12 minutes before an ambulance arrived.
Source: New York Daily News
Background: Triathlons for the masses
According to an article in the New Jersey Star Ledger, 3,000 competitors signed up for the New York City triathlon within the first eight hours. Race director John Korff said the surge in popularity could be attributed to many factors. Triathlons are an alternative to marathons, and the sport was recently added to the Olympic lineup, for example.
Source: New Jersey Star Ledger
In 2007, after a 38-year-old man died from a heart attack during the swim portion of the Cohasset Triathlon in Massachusetts, race officials told The Boston Globe “the problem of novice triathletes joining the sport is a concern.”
Source: Boston Globe
In July 2008, U.K. newspaper the Evening Gazette reported on a “mini iron man competition,” a shortened triathlon for kids aged 8–13. The event drew hundreds of participants—five times more than in 2007. Georgie Rutherford of Triathlon England said the sport “lends itself to people, because it’s a multi-lifestyle sport and not all about being super fit.”
Source: Evening Gazette
Related Topics: Marathons and Everest
An article in the University of Washington News discussed new research showing that age, not gender, impacts ability to climb Mount Everest. More people are climbing Everest overall, and guided expeditions are much more common “than, say, 30 years ago,” enabling more older climbers to make the trek, the article said.
Source: University of Washington News
Richard Finn of the New York Road Runners told the Associated Press, “Today, the marathon has become the everyday man’s or women’s Mount Everest.” Marathons have also become more popular among big cities looking to generate revenue, as marathon participants “tend to have more spending power than average,” said the AP article.
Source: MSNBC (Associated Press)
Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. Since then, 3,000 people have made the climb, including some wealthy teams of climbers. Critics, including Norgay’s son, have complained that inexperienced climbers often buy their way onto the mountain, putting themselves and others in danger.
Source: findingDulcinea
Reference Material: Training like a triathlete
Charleston newspaper The Post and Courier discussed how everyday exercisers could incorporate elements of triathlon training into their workout routines. “The ideas and methods of triathlon training are starting to ripple out to the masses,” such as varying activities and intensity level.
Source: The Post and Courier
A column in Canadian newspaper the Times Colonist says training for a sprint triathlon is a great way for people to begin a regular fitness routine. The article suggests, “If running isn’t your thing, you can power walk,” and advises newcomers to join a triathlon club or get a private coach to ensure correct training.
Source: Times Colonist
USA Triathlon has resources for athletes and coaches, as well as international triathlon news and upcoming events.
Source: USA Triathlon
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