IRONMAN Canada, which was scheduled to take place this weekend in the city of Penticton, has been cancelled due to the devastating wildfires that are currently ravaging the province of British Columbia.
After a state of emergency was announced last week, the event has been called off for the safety of all involved, with non-essential travel into B.C’s Southern Interior restricted as people continue to be displaced from the towns and villages surrounding the Okanagan valley.
According to the BBC, there are 400 wildfires currently raging in British Columbia, with up to 30,000 households currently under evacuation orders. In 2023, Canada has lost almost 15 million hectares of land to wildfires, over three times more than was recorded in 2022, as the country deals with one of its worst fire seasons in recent years.
“We are shocked and saddened to see the level of devastation”
In a statement released by IRONMAN, the race organisers shared the reasons behind their decision to cancel the event, along with a message from the Mayor of Penticton, Julius Bloomfield.
“Based on a province wide state of emergency that has been declared in British Columbia along with the order restricting travel to B.C.’s Southern Interior for those travelling for non-essential purposes and seeking temporary accommodation, we regret to share that the 2023 IRONMAN Canada-Penticton triathlon scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 27, 2023 has been cancelled for the safety of all involved.
“For an event that has been a long-time athlete favorite on the IRONMAN circuit, we were excited to once again showcase this beautiful region and provide you with a race experience that you deserve. However, due to the mandates in place and to allow the local resources the space they need to focus on the local community, this was the necessary decision.
“With all IRONMAN events, our utmost priority is ensuring the safety of our athletes and the members of the local community. We don’t take these decisions lightly as we know the time and effort that has been dedicated to racing so we appreciate your continued understanding with these unforeseen events. Our continued thoughts are with those that are being affected by the Canadian Wildfires. We are shocked and saddened to see the level of devastation caused by the wildfires.”
“We have seen conditions change dramatically”
Mayor Bloomfield, reiterating that the decision to cancel the race was a necessary precaution, explained that all the resources in the area needed to be concentrated on tackling the blaze, with keeping the community safe the first priority.
“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. 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.”
IRONMAN Canada is the third event to be cancelled due to wildfire related issues this season, with the mixed team relay event at WTCS Montreal and IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant also cancelled earlier in the year.
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