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Ironman claims two lives

Cape Town - Two South African athletes have lost their lives after suffering cardiac arrest at an Ironman endurance race in East London on Sunday.

World Endurance Africa confirmed on their website that two male athletes, aged 29 and 37, suffered fatal cardiac respiratory arrest during the swim leg of the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa.

According to the report, resuscitation efforts were done on the athletes on scene and in the medical tent. They were then transported to St Dominic's Hospital for further specialist investigation. However, after reassessment at St Dominic's they were pronounced dead.

Both athletes had no reported history of cardiac or other medical conditions in terms of the medical details that the athletes reported to Iroman 70.3 South Africa.

"We will be holding a minute’s silence at the awards ceremony in respect to the individuals and their families," Keith Bowler, managing Director World Endurance Africa said via a statement released to the media on Sunday.

"In all the years in which we’ve staged our events, this is the first time that an incident of this nature has happened. We express our sincere condolences to the families. It is a loss to the families and a loss to the Ironman family."

Buffalo City Executive Mayor, Zukiswa Ncitha, also expressed grief about the tragedy.

"We express our deepest condolences to the family members and we feel it is very unfortunate that it happened as a result of a suspected cardiac arrest. At our first Buffalo City meeting will we have a minute of silence in respect to the athletes and their families. Unfortunately it is the first time that such a tragedy as occurred and we hope it will be the last.

"Out of respect for the families, we will not release the names of the athletes," said Ncitha.
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