After the fatal accident, the organizer is criticized
As of 6:13 p.m
The red carpet to the finish of every Ironman race. The starters only found out afterwards what had happened
Quelle: Getty Images for Ironman/Alexander Koerner
The death of the driver of an escort motorcycle overshadows the Ironman Hamburg. There is criticism of the organizer. Jan Frodeno’s fourth place in his last professional race in Germany is only of marginal interest.
Dhe fatal accident at the Ironman in Hamburg also shocked Jan Frodeno. The three-time world champion was an eyewitness on Sunday when an escort motorcycle collided head-on with an amateur triathlete on the bike course, killing the motorcycle rider. “Everything else is secondary, third-rate or fifth-rate. My heartfelt condolences to those who remain,” said the German triathlon superstar.
Frodeno only found out about the extent of the accident after he had reached the finish on the Rathausmarkt in fourth place, more than five minutes behind the old and new European champion Denis Chevrot from France.
The accident happened 2:25 hours after the start in Hamburg’s Ochsenwerder district on a straight stretch that was traveled in both directions by the athletes – in between some accompanying motorcycles. The live stream at ironman.com showed that the motorcyclist with a photographer on his machine overtook other motorcycles and then collided with the athlete head-on.
The organizers only issued a statement several hours after the tragedy. “It is with great regret that we have to confirm the death of the motorcyclist due to a serious medical incident,” said the Tampa, Florida-based World Triathlon Corporation. “Our thoughts and concerns are with the family who we will support as best we can during this difficult time.”
The WTC owns the Ironman brand. She markets them worldwide. According to “Bild”, the boss of Ironman Germany, Oliver Schiek, was not allowed to comment and referred to the WTC announcement. Ironman is continuing to work with local authorities to resolve the situation, the statement read. “The health and well-being of everyone involved in the event is paramount and we will continue to organize the safest possible event together with everyone involved.”
The race was not stopped – the decision was made in the USA
The police said the 70-year-old motorcyclist died at the scene of the accident, and the athlete (26) was seriously injured. The cameraman (50) on the motorcycle suffered a shock and, like the triathlete, was taken to a hospital. “The background to the collision – whether it was medically necessary for the motorcyclist – is purely speculative,” the head of operations had previously told the ARD “Sportschau”.
After the scene of the accident was cordoned off, there was the absurd scene that the triathletes had to carry their bikes over the dyke. Despite the incident, the race was not abandoned. The decision was made by the World Triathlon Corporation in the USA.
There was a lot of criticism on social media – about the communication, the narrow route and the continuation of the race. Frodeno also criticized the route and the resulting density of athletes and support vehicles. The planned party after the race was cancelled. The ARD broke off its live broadcast immediately after the interview with the police commander, the official live stream of Ironman continued to the end, including live commentary.
In view of the tragedy, Frodeno’s last professional race in Germany faded into the background. The 41-year-old Olympic champion from 2008 had always been in the leading group in swimming and cycling. In the final marathon – including around the Alster – the native of Cologne was in the lead for a long time.
The triathletes meet on large parts of the route, including at the scene of the accident
Source: dpa/Georg Wendt
Halfway through the marathon, Chevrot passed him. A few kilometers from the finish, he also had to let Belgian Pieter Heermeryck and Denmark’s Kristian Hogenhaug go. For him it was the comeback after a long injury break. Frodeno’s goal is the World Cup in Nice in September. But other things were more important in Hamburg.
The partly narrow route, the many accompanying motorcycles on these sections of the route, the communication of Ironman and the fact that the race was not canceled – the race in Hamburg will also cause discussions in the next few days and weeks.
