PILI, Camarines Sur, Philippines - The Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines was marred by the death of one of the participants at the Lago del Rey in the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) here yesterday.
The fatality was identified as Miguel Vazquez, 53, president of the pre-need firm Permanent Plans Inc. He was representing Team Alamat.
Vazquez was a friend of Alaska president Wilfred Uytengsu, chief organizer of the event that drew the world’s best triathletes and was sanctioned by the World Triathlon Corp.
There was no official word on how Vazquez, who was the salutatorian of the Ateneo Law School in 1986, drowned during the first leg of the Ironman Challenge but there were speculations he either suffered a heart attack or was accidentally kicked by another triathlete during the swimming event.
“Miguel was a personal friend of mine,” said Uytengsu, who had to withdraw from the individual race after learning the news.
“Our deepest condolences to the family which has been informed of this tragedy and we will extend all necessary assistance. Just recently, Miguel joined us in an open water swim in Batangas,” he added.
Uytengsu said accidents like this do happen in endurance races like the Ironman.
“Unfortunately, those of us in endurance events (such as triathlon) know that accident does occur and almost all of them happen in the swim leg. There’s always a risk but whenever it does happen, it deeply affects and saddens us,” he said.
Camarines Sur Gov. Lray Villafuerte, host of the event, said this was an unfortunate incident.
“We’re really saddened by the news. We sympathize with the family. Things like this really happen, but of course, it’s really unfortunate,” he said.
Organizers said an investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of death of Vazquez and details will be released soon.