Organisers of Cork Ironman told event couldn't be sanctioned - Triathlon Ireland

The organisers of a half Ironman triathlon in Co Cork in which two competitors died were told by the national governing body for triathlons that the event could not be sanctioned following a water safety assessment, Triathlon Ireland has said.

The men who died have been named as 64-year-old Ivan Chittenden, from Toronto in Canada, and 45-year-old Brendan Wall, who was originally from Slane, Co Meath, but had been living in the UK for many years.

They were taking part in the sea swim element of the event when they got into difficulties at Claycastle beach in Youghal yesterday.

In a statement, Triathlon Ireland Chief Executive Darren Coombes said technical officials attended before the start of the race to review the conditions and carry out a water safety assessment in line with normal practice.

The body said that "due to adverse conditions on the day" the organisers were told that it was not possible to sanction the race.

"Triathlon Ireland is the national governing body for triathlon in Ireland, a role which includes providing sanction for club and commercial races to proceed," Mr Coombes said in the statement.

Ironman Ireland has been contacted for comment.

In an earlier statement, Ironman Ireland said that the "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".

It said that due to weather conditions at the time, the swim course for the full distance Ironman event had been shortened to 1.9km.

The swim course for the half Ironman triathlon - known as the 70.3 - is already 1.9km.

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