The passing of Berton Bosman and Kevin Staessen so tragically at Ironman 70.3 has affected me quite a lot, as I’m sure it has affected many all over South Africa. So I have tried to put a few thoughts together and done a little research as a tribute to these young men, who much like you and I were probably trying to map out a life for ourselves and our families and trying to keep fit and healthy by participating in events such as these. (At the end of this tribute there is a link to some thoughts/articles on fatalities in Triathlon swims and SIPE, which I would recommend all Triathletes read).
Where does one start, how does one say the right thing to express how many of us are feeling right now? I have no idea, but I am going to try pay an unorthodox tribute and express what I would probably want to say in italics to my loved ones, if what happened to them had happened to me. (We can never say we know what it feels like but having lost my stepson Reece very tragically when he was 19 I’ve felt and still do feel the pain, so I am trying to be as sensitive as possible.)
“Rarely are people ready to exit Mother Earth, ourselves included, but if we had known that this past Sunday had been our exit day, then this may well have been our chosen exit ticket, where we were challenging ourselves, striving to achieve our goals and doing something we loved.
However, it happened without me saying many of the things I would have wanted to say and the most painful Good Byes are the ones that never get said and this morning we only said Farewell, see you later.
To my family and friends I loved you all dearly and will always cherish the wonderful times and memories, which occupy my mind and heart and I realise that this tragedy caught us all by surprise and that it is very hard to comprehend what has transpired.
I know that there will be many unanswered questions and I like you am repeatedly going over the final few days, the morning of the race, the start and asking why and how? Yes, I’ve been searching for clues, for warning signs and I imagine that there may have been one/some, but truth be told there weren’t any and I do not want you to start thinking that you may have detected something and should have said something. Nobody is to blame for this tragedy and I’m coming to the realisation that this was my time and I’m going to approach this with the same positive attitude that I approached life.
The Medical Staff and Lifesavers did their absolute best and I’m proud of their efforts and I hope you will be too. Remember it was my (our) decision to do this event and we must always respect that and never question why, simply put it was on my bucket list and I never wanted to live a life of regrets. Hopefully more research will be done to ensure those athletes we leave behind are at less risk.
I am rather going to focus on the beautiful times and the unbelievable memories we created while we were together and say how thankful I am for the times we had, rather than focus on what could have been. The tears are flowing as I write this and I will miss you all so, so much and I’m sure you will miss me too, but I really do want you to try and accept what happened as best you can.
We shared many good times together but I have been called home by our Father to be with His Son. I can’t believe it happened so suddenly, as there were so many things I wanted to say and I just never got to say them all, but there will be a time when we are reunited and I will share them with you then, but in the meantime let me say Farewell.
So just as on the morning of the race when we said Good Bye or Farewell, I’m not going to say Good Bye, but Farewell for now my loved ones, remember that I have very little to regret and all because you were a part of my life that I will never forget.”
Farewell
Our last Farewell,
Went off so well.
The sun began to rise,
Enabling me to see the love in your eyes.
I remember it so clearly,
As we embraced each other so dearly.
I remembered your smiles,
After sharing all those miles.
You were so proud,
As I left to join the crowd.
So Farewell my dear,
I will always be near.
Remember I have no regret,
Because you were part of my life that I will never forget.
-Alec Riddle
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As mentioned this tragedy has affected me a great deal and I’m sure many other participants too and I really hope that some good can come out of the losses of Kevin and Berton. So I’ve done some research (Googling) to come up with some thoughts and links to articles on Challenges in Ironman/Triathlon Swims and SIPE (Swimming Induced Pulmonary Edema) or IPE (Immersion Pulmonary Edema).
I would encourage us all to read up on these topics, so you can be aware of the challenges, the risks and be able to detect any symptoms that could help you or your fellow competitors. http://ironmansa.com/2013/01/22/the-challenges-faced-in-ironman-triathlon-swims/
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God Bless both Kevin and Berton and their respective families, our Prayers and Thoughts are with you. Thank you to Ironman South Africa, to the Ironman 70.3 particpants and to Paul Kaye who paid tribute to these two young men this past weekend.
The Riddle of an Ironman's Life 