The news of the painful cancellation of the legendary Ironman in Hawaii in February reached the German champions at nighttime. She didn’t come unexpectedly.
“I’m of course very sad about it,” said defending champion Anne Haug of the German Press Agency, “but the decision is more than understandable in view of the current situation.”
The three-time champion Jan Frodeno made a similar statement. “A world championship is currently not feasible with athletes from all continents, we just have to continue to think and act more regionally,” said the 38-year-old. “We have been thinking about alternatives for a long time and will now take a more concrete approach.” For 2014 world champion Sebastian Kienle, the cancellation did not come as a surprise either. He referred to the dramatic corona development in the USA. “Traveling is hardly possible,” said the 36-year-old.
At the same time as the press release, the cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic landed in the athletes’ mailboxes by personal email on Wednesday night. The rude awakening came in the morning. “We were hopeful that we could welcome our athletes, their families and fans to these events, but the ongoing impact of the pandemic makes that impossible,” said Ironman boss Andrew Messick.
After a postponement, the cult race of 3.86 kilometers of swimming, 180.2 kilometers of cycling and 42.2 kilometers of running from October 10th was rescheduled for February 6th, 2021. “With a heavy heart” the rejection was announced. It’s the first time since the race premiered in Hawaii in 1978. The 2020 World Cup over half the Ironman distance will not take place either. “It’s tough to make this decision in July, but that brings the necessary clarity for athletes, hosts and partners,” said Messick.
Defending champion Jan Frodeno had already expressed himself critical of the postponement in May and suggested a cancellation. “That makes it a bit silly to have a February world champion and an October world champion at some point,” he emphasized.
The qualification criteria were also a problem, although the organizers subsequently adjusted them. Due to the global spread of the coronavirus, no Ironman races have taken place this year, most recently the Ironman Hamburg, which was initially postponed to September, was canceled, the EM in Frankfurt was and does not exist this year. “You don’t even know who should have started at the World Cup,” Kienle told the dpa.
Nevertheless, Frodeno & Co had already readjusted the training plans and started preparing for the climax and classic triathlon at the beginning of next year. However, Kienle recently crashed his racing bike and broke his collarbone. Now he’s training again.
In the past few years the triathlon classic in Hawaii was a German affair. Kienle started an era with his triumph in 2014. In 2015 and 2016 Frodeno won the world title before Patrick Lange (33) won twice in a row. In October 2019, Frodeno returned to the throne. Anne Haug (37) ensured the first victory for a German woman. She hopes at least for smaller competitions this year in Germany.
For the time being, Kienle does not expect that large triathlon competitions will soon be possible in view of the corona dangers. “Our sport is a hands-on sport, a mass event,” he said. “We’ll be the last.”
Ultimately, all athletes have no choice but to hope for the World Cup in October 2021. “We will take it and look forward to the day when the greatest professionals and age group triathletes come together for the crowning of the world champions”, promised Ironman boss Messick.
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