The anticipation of the Ironman in Hawaii was great. The disappointment following the cancellation of the triathlon highlight of the year planned for the beginning of October is even greater. “I was blown away. I was absolutely expecting the Ironman to take place,” commented the Darmstadt triathlon professional Patrick Lange on the hr-Sport microphone regarding the postponement of the event to the coming year due to Corona. After 2020 there will be no Ironman in Hawaii in 2021 either. “The shock runs deep,” said Lange.
The two-time winner of the Ironman World Championships, the official name of the traditional competition over the triathlon long distance of 3.86 kilometers swimming, 180 kilometers cycling and the final marathon, raises reproaches despite all the disappointment.
Criticism of the organizers
Of course, nobody might have guessed that the infection situation in Hawaii was developing so badly. The communication and especially the planning might be improved. “It all came as a complete surprise. And you can blame the organizers for not having any alternatives,” said Lange. In other words, the organizers should have designed a hygiene concept that would make triathlon possible even during the corona pandemic.
“We’ve had an idea of the Delta variant long enough and know how bad the pandemic is. I don’t like being confronted with a fait accompli now.”
Frankfurt remains stable
Last weekend in Frankfurt everyone might see how good organization works, emphasized Lange. In his Hessian homeland, almost 1,500 triathletes started on Sunday and had a problem-free competition despite increasing incidences. “Frankfurt has shown that it is possible to hold such an event.”
What makes the Hawaii cancellation even worse for Lange: If the news had come a little earlier, the Darmstadt native would have been part of the field in Frankfurt. “I would have been there 100 percent,” said Lange. “So I followed every second of the event with a crying eye. My heart bled.” Just like Hawaii, Frankfurt will – probably – take place once more next year.
Which: HR