Ontario man drowns while competing in Alberta Ironman race
An Ontario man drowned while competing in an Ironman race in Alberta Sunday morning.
The Ironman 70.3 Calgary triathlon started with 1.9 kilometre swim through Harmony Lake — about 30 kilometres west of the city in Rocky View County — before the bike and running courses.
Local RCMP received a call about a drowning around 8 a.m., after a 47-year-old man was found in the water by Ironman race volunteers.
Ironman said in a statement that swim safety personnel recognized the athlete was in distress and required immediate medical attention.
"He was found directly after the swim portion of the race," said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Troy Savinkoff.
The volunteers pulled him from the water, began CPR and called EMS, but the man died on the scene, police say.
A medical examiner will be assisting in determining the man's cause of death, RCMP said. The man's family has been notified.
"We share our greatest sympathies with the family and friends of the athlete and will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time," the Florida-based Ironman Group said.
"We thank the swim safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical support."
