The Mont-Tremblant Ironman 70.3 triathlon scheduled for Sunday morning has been canceled due to poor air quality in Quebec.
In a statement released about an hour before the start of the race on Sunday morning, the organization explained that IRONMAN, which oversees this type of endurance triathlon all over the world, has strict safety criteria for the quality of the air, which could not be respected at Tremblant on Sunday morning.
Since the forecasts did not indicate that the air quality indices would improve during the day, the decision was made to cancel the event.
“In collaboration with the provincial health authorities, due to the ash alert and high concentrations of fine particles resulting in a poor air quality index in the Tremblant area, we regret to inform you that Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant Triathlon has been canceled for the safety of everyone involved,” organizers explained.
The Mont-Tremblant sector is indeed one of the many regions of Quebec that is the subject of a smog warning published by Environment Canada on Sunday morning.
Due to the forest fires, high concentrations of fine particles are causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in places, explains the federal agency, which adds that these conditions will persist until Monday.
“Stop outdoor activities and contact your healthcare professional if you or someone in your care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe coughing, dizziness, or chest pain. If you have symptoms or are not feeling well, stay indoors,” Environment Canada recommended.
The organizers of the Ironman 70.3 of Mont-Tremblant clarified that the decision to cancel the event was taken to ensure the safety of participants, spectators, volunteers, staff and all other persons affected by the event. event.
“Athletes are urged to spend as little time as possible outdoors and to consider wearing a face covering. […] We appreciate your understanding in these exceptional circumstances,” the organizers added.
An Ironman 70.3 consists of 1.9 kilometers of swimming, 90 kilometers of cycling and 21.1 kilometers of running, which is half of the distances covered in a full Ironman.
Nearly 3,800 athletes from 23 countries, which would have been a participation record for this distance in Mont-Tremblant, were to start Sunday morning according to the organizers.