The best of 2016: Triathlon Magazine Canada’s top 10 news stories
Triathlon Magazine Canada‘s top 10 most read stories of 2016 include everything from international controversies to national success stories to training tips that our readers loved.
10. Did an athlete try to sabotage Jan Frodeno’s race during the swim leg?
In a post-race interview after his win at Kona this year, Frodeno called out British athlete Harry Wiltshire for “properly disturbing [him] intentionally” during the swim leg.
9. Australian triathlete Craig Percival dies of heart attacks after knee surgery
The 45-year-old known for his eight Ironmans in eight provinces in eight days passed away after complication during knee surgery this month caused him to suffer multiple heart attacks. The triathlon community worldwide expressed their sadness and condolences to his family via social media.
8. What did Gwen Jorgensen and Nicola Spirig say to each other on the Rio course?
One of the most interesting aspects of the women’s race in Rio was gold-medallist Jorgensen and silver-medallist Spirig exchanging what looked like heated words on the bike and run courses. Jorgensen later said the two were “playing mind games.”
7. Triathlete in intensive care after being hit by car on Ironman 70.3 Miami bike course
Marco Antonio Del Castillo, 44, was in intensive care after being hit head-on during his race. According to other athletes, the car swerved onto the course which was not well marked or monitored.
6. Kirsten Sweetland confirms late stage Lyme disease as the source of her struggles
One of Canada’s most well-loved triathletes announced after Rio that she had received a diagnosis of late stage Lyme disease before the Olympic Games — something that severely impacted her racing in recent seasons.
5. The six unwritten rules of the lap swim
This one makes our top 10 list for the second year in a row.
4. ‘Unsportsmanlike behaviour’ costs open water swimmer a medal in 10k swim in Rio
The women’s 10K open water swim race in Rio took an unusual turn of events when a French swimmer (and medal favourite) touched the mat second, but was later disqualified for “impeding” another swimmer at the finish.
3. Olympic triathlon distance could be halved for Tokyo 2020
Marisol Casado, president of the ITU, implied that the Olympic triathlon distance could become a sprint for the Tokyo 2020 Games. It was later revealed that what’s more likely is the addition of a sprint to the existing standard distance, as well as a Mixed Relay race.
2. Lionel Sanders smashes Ironman world record, takes Ironman Arizona
Canadian triathletes were extremely proud to call Lionel Sanders our own when he smashed the Ironman-branded world record and took IMAZ in 7:44:29.
1. British triathlete tests positive for banned substance at September’s ITU World Championship in Cozumel
Our most-read story of 2016 was one we broke a couple weeks ago. An unnamed British triathlete tested positive for clenbuterol, but the case was closed by the ITU and the athlete did not receive a suspension. British Triathlon Federation has still not released the name of the athlete.
