Sentinel Watch April 23, 2012 Issue

Tireless prayer for endurance athletes

Lane Brown

Lots of athletes are marking their calendars this season for marathons, triathlons, and other endurance sporting events, including the famous Boston Marathon on April 16.

Triathlons in particular have captured the public spotlight recently. Nearly two million people in the United States competed in a triathlon in 2010. But recent news of triathlon deaths—including drownings during the swimming portion—has raised concerns about the safety of endurance sports. Last year, multiple deaths were reported at triathlons around the country. All but one of these deaths occurred during the swim portion of the event, with many theories citing panic attacks as the reason (see David Brown, “Deaths in triathlons may not be so mysterious; panic attacks may be to blame,” Washington Post, November 14, 2011).

In triathlons, athletes start the race in groups in the water, surrounded by anywhere from a few dozen to hundreds of other competitors. It can be disorienting and seem dangerous, as athletes’ limbs often graze other swimmers and visibility drops in the open water of a lake, river, or ocean.