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Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Ironman
August 19, 2023 - 4:03 PM
The Ironman triathlon won't be happening in Penticton this year due to the wildfire situation.
The decision to pull the plug is based on the provincial state of emergency and the order that restricts travel against non-essential purposes and seeking temporary accommodation, the organization said in a media release.
“While it will be disappointing to the athletes who have trained so hard, I know they will understand the decision to cancel this year’s IRONMAN event is the right one to make," Julius Bloomfield, mayor of Penticton, said in the release. "The need to support those who have been so severely impacted by the ongoing wildfire situation needs to take precedence. The unpredictability of the fires means the province needs to have maximum flexibility to ensuring the proper supports are available to those who need them. We have seen conditions change dramatically – almost hour by hour – and all resources need to be directed towards keeping our communities safe."
Registered athletes will be getting an email with more info about the cancellation.
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