logo
Athlete dies after 'getting into difficulty' during Ironman race

Athlete dies after 'getting into difficulty' during Ironman race

An athlete has tragically passed away following their participation in the Swansea Ironman 70.3. The event, which took place on Sunday, saw the athlete "in difficulty" during the swim section of the race.
Medical teams responded promptly when the athlete was spotted struggling in the water; however, despite being rushed to hospital, the individual sadly lost their life on Wednesday.
In a statement, even organisers said: "It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of an athlete who competed in last weekend's IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea triathlon.
"Approximately half-way into the swim portion of the race, swim safety personnel noticed and responded to an athlete in difficulty.
"The athlete received immediate medical care while being taken via boat to a designated extraction point on the harbour, where further treatment was administered.
"The athlete was then transported to the hospital where they continued to receive treatment, but sadly passed today."
"Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the athlete.
"We will continue to offer them our support and keep them in our thoughts as they go through this challenging time.
"We are deeply grateful to the swim safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical assistance."
The demanding triathlon sees thousands yearly tackle a daunting 1.2-mile (1.9km) swim in Prince of Wales Dock before undertaking a 56-mile (90km) single-loop cycle ride, reports Wales Online.
The cycling course guides competitors through Mumbles and along the coastal cliffs of Gower, before venturing into rural Swansea and then back along Swansea Bay into the city.
They then make their way back to Swansea, readying for transition in the Maritime Quarter adjacent to the River Tawe.
Lastly, participants face a 13.1-mile (21.1km) two-loop run course that takes them from the city centre, past Swansea Arena, towards Mumbles and then back to the finish line at the marina.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lions star once compared to Beckham and dated Charlotte Church now works in pub
Lions star once compared to Beckham and dated Charlotte Church now works in pub

Irish Daily Mirror

time3 days ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Lions star once compared to Beckham and dated Charlotte Church now works in pub

Once hailed as 'the David Beckham of rugby', Gavin Henson was on the brink of joining the sport's legends. There was a period when Wales' golden lad was frequently in the news, and not always for his exploits on the pitch. As the British and Irish Lions gear up to clinch a series win over Australia this Saturday, fans will remember Henson's contribution to the 2005 tour of New Zealand. The adaptable fly-half and centre, who later flaunted his dance skills on Strictly Come Dancing during a rugby hiatus, travelled to New Zealand as part of the squad that took on a legendary All Blacks team. Henson's glitzy image extended off the field, particularly due to his high-profile romance with singer Charlotte Church. Since hanging up his boots, the Welshman has kept himself occupied as the successful landlord of a pub near his residence, and Wales Online delves into Henson's Lions stint and his life after rugby. Gavin Henson's Lions tour Henson's time with the Lions was short and somewhat sour. Taking on New Zealand, who were world champions at the time, was an intimidating task even for the most seasoned players, reports Wales Online. At just 23, Henson was picked by coach Clive Woodward to join the Lions on their tour, making five appearances that summer. This included playing inside centre in the second Test, which ended in a crushing 48-18 defeat to the hosts, who went on to win the series 3-0. Unfortunately, Henson bore some responsibility for New Zealand's opening try in that Wellington encounter. His missed tackle on Dan Carter allowed the All Blacks to race 70 metres upfield, with skipper Tana Umaga crossing for the hosts' first score. (Image: WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images) A troublesome stinger injury ruled Henson out of the third Test, despite having bagged two tries against Southland previously. By that stage, though, the Lions' chances of success had already evaporated after suffering a second straight Test defeat. More recently, Henson correctly forecast that head coach Andy Farrell would pick his son, Owen, for the squad. He also put forward the intriguing proposition that England's Fin Smith should get the nod ahead of Scotland's Finn Russell for the Tests, though this hasn't materialised. "The No. 10 spot is a big decision for Farrell to make... probably the biggest," he told The Rugby Paper in June. "Personally, I would start with Smith. He brings other players around him into the game, whereby with Finn Russell it is more of an individual thing. You need to bring the whole game around him – and I'm not sure we have the time with the limited warm-up games to do that." What is Gavin Henson's net worth? Determining an exact figure for Henson's current wealth is tricky, but Yahoo! earlier this year estimated his worth at around £800,000. This estimate is largely based on his rugby career, with little information available about his current earnings from running The Fox pub and any other business ventures he may have. Henson first made a name for himself playing for Swansea before moving to the Ospreys, who were then a formidable force in European rugby. This move led to him securing a four-year contract with the region in 2005, which The Guardian reported was worth £750,000 (almost £190,000 annually before tax). In the early days of professional rugby, such a sum represented a massive payday, particularly for someone just starting their career. After that deal ended, Henson played for several clubs including Saracens, Toulon, Cardiff, Bath, Bristol and the Dragons, although he never quite managed to recapture the brilliance of his early rise. After retiring from rugby at Newport in 2019, the versatile star quickly moved into the hospitality industry by becoming the landlord of The Fox (formerly The Fox and Hounds). Today, Henson has turned his venture into a roaring success, often promoting his brand through speaking engagements. (Image: Mark Lewis) In conversation with The Times, he said: "I was coming to the end of my career, and it [the pub] had been sat here for 18 months, two years. It was not nice for the village, and I needed something to do after rugby and to be busy, not to mourn rugby and get depressed, as they say everyone does. "But be careful what you wish for because this is so full-on. We want to feel like we've achieved something with the pub. We're perfectionists. We're all about the detail." Charlotte Church romance Henson's relationship with Church became public in 2005 when he was at his rugby peak. Their first child, daughter Ruby, arrived in September 2007. The pair then welcomed son Dexter in January 2009 and appeared headed for the altar after becoming engaged that year. However, wedding plans were cancelled in mid-2010 when Henson and Church decided to go their separate ways. Their five-year relationship was constantly under the spotlight, with extensive coverage in newspapers and celebrity magazines. This relentless media scrutiny likely played a major role in their breakup, as both Henson and Church had faced intense public attention since their early careers began. The former couple have remained tight-lipped about why they separated, though Church told Heat Magazine it was a joint choice: "When he proposed, I was overjoyed. It was amazing. I really was going to marry Gav and spend the rest of my life with him. (Image: Dave M. Benett, Getty Images) "But then he came back from Norway [where he filmed reality show 71 Degrees North], and he'd changed, and I'd had time to think. We had both had a change of heart, so we were both of the same mind." Now, it's understood they keep an amicable relationship whilst raising their teenage children together. Henson has since moved forward and wed Katie Wilson Mould in 2019, whilst Church married musician Jonathan Powell in 2017.

Kate Middleton left 'in tears' after Wimbledon Centre Court 'courageous' act
Kate Middleton left 'in tears' after Wimbledon Centre Court 'courageous' act

Irish Daily Mirror

time17-07-2025

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Kate Middleton left 'in tears' after Wimbledon Centre Court 'courageous' act

Princess Kate Middleton was visibly emotional as she arrived at Centre Court for the 2024 Wimbledon Men's Singles Final. Her appearance marked a poignant moment, following months of treatment for a private cancer diagnosis earlier in the year. Throughout this time, the Princess had intentionally kept a low public profile. However, according to royal biographer Robert Jobson in his book Catherine, the Princess of Wales: The Biography, Kate was aware of the comfort her presence could bring to others during challenging times. Jobson suggests this awareness may have played a role in her decision to attend Wimbledon, not only because of her deep love for tennis, but also due to the powerful message her appearance would send. READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios believes Swiatek and Sinner wins are 'Not a good look' READ MORE: Padraig Harrington's comments slammed by PGA Tour star – 'Stupidest freaking thing' "The world would also have intermittent glimpses of the steely inner strength of the Princess of Wales as the year continued," he noted. "At the same time, she was equally aware of the reassurance and comfort that she could provide to those in a similar predicament," reports Wales Online. "On the afternoon of 14 July, the 15,000 spectators packed inside Wimbledon's Centre Court rose as one to welcome the Princess to the Men's Singles Final of the tennis championships. Many in the crowd were in tears. "It was not just the shy smile on the face of the tennis-loving Princess, thrilled to be at one of her favourite events, that set them off. It was also the fact that a beaming nine-year-old Princess Charlotte was at her side." Kate has since finished her chemotherapy treatment and has begun making additional public outings. However, specifics regarding her cancer diagnosis haven't been revealed. The Duchess of Cambridge attended this year's Women's and Men's Singles Final of the competition, joined by Prince William and kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Before this, there had been speculation about her attendance at this year's Wimbledon fixtures, with suggestions she may skip the Women's Final should a player from Belarus or Russia look set to triumph. Russia remains engaged in conflict with Ukraine, a British ally, whilst Belarus supports Russia - creating a delicate situation should a member of the Royal Family present silverware to a competitor from either nation. Beyond the tennis tournament, attention has turned to Kate's nutrition, with the Princess reportedly incorporating a £1.48 superfood into her daily routine that could help combat inflammation. The superfood being discussed is blueberries, a berry thought to provide numerous wellness advantages. Discussing their effects, Dr Federica Amati explained: "Blueberries are touted as a superfood that we should be consuming every day. The evidence is really good - blueberries are a great fruit to add to your daily diet. "But it's important to remember that we need a diversity of plants, so enjoy your blueberries, but make sure they're not the only fruit you're eating." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.

Fans fume over Lions call as Andy Farrell decision questioned
Fans fume over Lions call as Andy Farrell decision questioned

Irish Daily Mirror

time17-07-2025

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Fans fume over Lions call as Andy Farrell decision questioned

Andy Farrell has announced his team for the upcoming first Test against Australia this weekend - and it has caused quite a stir. The exclusion of Jac Morgan, although not entirely surprising, has been met with a mix of bewilderment, disappointment and in some instances, outright fury. Despite Morgan's promising performances on this tour, his omission further highlights the recent downturn in Welsh rugby. Morgan's absence hasn't come as a shock, especially after Wednesday's reports suggested that Tom Curry would be donning the number seven jersey. However, it will undoubtedly leave a sour taste in the mouths of many fans, especially in Wales. The 25-year-old was one of only two Welshmen in the touring party, but became the sole representative of his nation when Tomos Williams had to withdraw due to injury, reports Wales Online. This decision means that for the first time since 1896, the Lions will enter a Test without a single Welshman in their squad. Jac Morgan (Image:) In total, the matchday squad for the first Test in Brisbane includes 11 players from Ireland, nine from England, and three from Scotland. Even though Morgan's complete omission was anticipated, it has left many fans baffled, with numerous supporters expressing their confusion on social media. "Jac Morgan not making the 23 is absolutely criminal," one fan expressed. Another supporter was equally shocked, stating: "Jac Morgan not being included AT ALL is absolute insanity,". "If he's picking the best in terms of form right now, Jac Morgan has to start. Travesty," lamented another fan. One supporter even suggested that Morgan's team-mates might be puzzled by his omission: "Other players in that Lions squad will be looking at Jac Morgan as someone who has played himself into the 23," they said. "They will be scratching their heads at his omission and wondering if there is any point in the midweek game, when Farrell will just pick his favourites regardless." Meanwhile, some fans felt that Henry Pollock was also hard done by: "No Jac Morgan and Pollock is a bit strange, fully thought at least one of them would be on the bench," one fan commented. "In a similar regard, Tom being the engine that we all know that we need in regards to Test match football." When asked how close Morgan was to selection, Farrell revealed at his Thursday press conference: "As close as you could imagine. "Look, you're gutted for players like that and Josh as well, and Henry as well, because they're playing good rugby and could easily be in this side on Saturday, but I suppose that shows the good place that we're at as a group." The Lions are set to face Australia at the SunCorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 11am Irish time.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store