Dispute over timing of triathlon safety warnings

Brendan Wall (l) and Ivan Chittenden (r) died in separate events during the Ironman event in Youghal, County Cork

Triathlon Ireland has rejected any suggestion that it only refused to sanction the Ironman event in County Cork at the weekend after the race had started.

Two men died during the swim stage of the endurance event and some participants have since said they felt the sea conditions on Sunday were too rough.

A spokesperson for Triathlon Ireland, the governing body for triathlons on the island, said the organisation raised concerns before the race began.

Earlier on Tuesday, event organiser Ironman Ireland issued a statement outlining its version of events.

A spokesperson said it worked in collaboration with national federations across the world.

It said that "several hours after the swim was completed" representatives from Triathlon Ireland said they would not sanction the event.

Ironmen Ireland have disputed claims made by Triathlon Ireland in regards to their sanctioning of the event

When asked about the statement, within an hour, Triathlon Ireland responded.

A spokesperson said its officials had attended before the start of the race to review the conditions and assess the safety of the water.

“Due to adverse conditions on the day, before the start of the race Triathlon Ireland technical officials confirmed to the race organisers that it was not possible to sanction the race," the spokesperson said.

Ironman made it clear in its statement that safety checks had been carried out before the race, and the water had passed its tests.

“On the morning of Sunday 20 August, Ironman Ireland officials and the specific on-swim safety team carried out all standard safety protocol checks that are completed at every race and determined water conditions were safe for the swim to take place," a spokesperson said.

“While conditions were improved from Saturday, out of an abundance of safety, it was decided to shorten the swim course for both races.“

Ironman said its thoughts “continue to be with the family and friends of the two athletes who passed”.

Both men got into difficulty in the swim element of the half Ironman triathlon event at Claycastle beach

Ivan Chittenden, 64, was one of two men who died in separate incidents during the swim element of the event in Youghal.

His coach said he died doing what he loved.

Brendan Wall, 45, who also died, was praised by his employer as a "key member of the team".

Mr Chittenden, who was from Toronoto in Canada, and Mr Wall, who was originally from County Meath, got into difficulty at Claycastle beach on Sunday morning.

'Devastating'

Mr Wall had got engaged to his fiancée, Tina, earlier this year, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported.

In May, he began work as a sales director at Top Tubes in Wednesbury in England's West Midlands.

Managing director of Top Tubes, April Pearson Myatt, described Mr Wall's death as devastating news.

"Brendan was a key member of the team and will be sadly missed both at a personal and professional level," she said.

She also extended her condolences to Mr Wall's family, and said the news had been met with a heavy heart at the company.

Mr Wall had previously been employed by Cavan-based cutting tools manufacturer ATA Group and Elements Material Technology in London.

His funeral is due to take place in Church of St Brigid, Grangegeeth in Slane on Thursday.

'He was my family'

Mr Chittenden worked as a senior partner in EY (Ernst and Young) before his retirement two years ago.

He first began working for the firm as a student in May 1979.

Mr Chittenden, who was married with a family, was also a keen triathlete and had taken part in Ironman events before.

Ironman trainer Lisa Bentley who coached Mr Chittenden for 12 years told RTÉ he died "doing what he loved".

"He was my friend. He was my family. Those are not words. That is a fact. I will miss him very much," she said.

"I know in my heart that he was doing what he loved when he left us. Ivan was in the shape of his life. He kept getting faster as he got older."

She said he had competed in all of the major marathons worldwide, including Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, New York, London and Boston.

A spokesperson for the Irish Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media described the deaths as a terrible tragedy.

Irish Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien said serious issues needed to be addressed after the two men's deaths.

He added that all stakeholders involved needed to be "very forthright" in what happened and what safety measures "were, or indeed were not put in place".