2nd NYC Triathlon Competitor Dies, Race Officials Consider Changes

Two competitors died after experiencing problems during the swim portion of the Nautica New York City Triathlon, leading race organizers to consider asking athletes more questions about their training and experience.

The deaths were the second and third ones at the popular triathlon in the last three years.

On Monday, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer called for a review, questioning whether rain the night before — which could have led to choppy water and strong currents — or temperatures above 90 degrees were factors.

Race director Bill Burke called the deaths "a very, very sad occurrence and tragedy," but characterized the weather conditions during Sunday's race as optimal, with relatively mild temperatures and good cloud cover for much of the day.

Burke said participants were not required to provide a health certificate or proof that they have participated in another triathlon — things he would like to see enacted in the future.

"It's something we're going to look at and try to put possible identifiers in place that can hopefully give us some indication and let the athletes know what they need to be careful about: Have you done an open water swim? Have you participated in another triathlon? How much training have you put into this?"

Participants in the yearly race swim about a mile, bike 25 miles and run 6 miles.

They attend a mandatory briefing before the race that includes information about training and staying hydrated. Burke said it was not uncommon for some people to struggle with over-exertion. He said he most commonly sees heat-related problems like fatigue and dehydration.

"What we try to do at all of our events it to give the athletes as much knowledge as possible," he said. That includes posting information on the event website and emailing potential competitors about different training programs taking place in their communities that might better prepare them for the event.

Michael Kudryk, of Freehold, N.J., died Sunday after he was pulled out of the Hudson River unconscious. Police say he was believed to have suffered a heart attack.

A 40-year-old woman from Elmhurst, Ill., who was not identified at the family's request, died Monday. Burke said she was believed to have gone into cardiac arrest twice after Sunday's swim.

Police said 26 others participants needed assistance for minor injuries or pains throughout the swim.

"I already talked to the USA Triathlon this morning," Burke said. "We're certainly going to take a very hard look at everything, at how people prepare for this."

Three years ago, a 32-year-old competitor from Argentina was pulled from the water unconscious and later died. The medical examiner ruled that he died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a condition linked to high blood pressure. Race organizers said he apparently was unaware of his condition.

Stringer asked triathlon organizers to conduct a review.

He cited a 2009 study by the Minneapolis Heart Institute that found athletes participating in triathlons have twice the risk of sudden death as those running in marathons. He also pointed out a recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association that found 14 people died while participating in triathlons, 13 of them while swimming, from 2006 to 2008.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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