Swim Death USAT Nationals
A male competitor died during the swim leg of USA Triathlon's Age Group Olympic distance triathlon. He was identified as Richard Angelo of Massachussetts, age-53.
According to USA Triathlon, "Swim safety personnel spotted the athlete at approximately the three-quarter point of the swim course in Lake Champlain at 8:05 a.m. local time. He was immediately extracted from the water by a motorized rescue boat, where rescue personnel immediately administered CPR and treatment. The male athlete in his 50’s was transported to Fletcher Allen Healthcare hospital in Burlington, but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful."
This, from a friend of the victim, who is himself a seasoned triathlete: "He was the fittest guy I know. He mentally and physically prepared for this race all summer long. He was a vegan, and took every precaution in terms of eating and recovery. He practiced open water swim starts. His goal was to finish in the top-20 in order to make it to Worlds. He was in peak form."
From another friend, who swam 41 minutes last week in the New York City Ironman: "I swam with [the victim] several times; I would never in a million years think that this was the guy [who would die in the swim]."
To be updated.
