Fastest swimmer criticises Ironman organisation

AN Irish man who recorded the fastest time in the swim event in an Ironman competition recently has accused the Ironman organisation of unfair treatment.

Conor O’Dea, who has strong Clare connections, claims that because he was an amateur competitor, his achievement has not been acknowledged.

Conor, who was born in Dublin but spent much of his life in Kilkee, the home of his parents, competed in the inaugural Ironman US Championship in New York recently (August 11). Conor’s family own and run The Esplanade on the Strandline and he considers himself “from Kilkee via Dublin”.

“During the event in New York, I registered the fastest overall swim time of 38.24mins, beating the fastest professional athlete [Luke Bell] by some 44 seconds. As an amateur athlete and ex-competitive swimmer, this was a major achievement for me personally. However, as an amateur athlete, I believe I have been unfairly treated by the Ironman organisation as I have not been contacted by them since. The only recognition I have received for this achievement has been from Triathlete-Europe and for that I am extremely thankful,” he told The Clare Champion.

He added that he was not criticising the Ironman organisation but merely identifying the WTC’S lack of acknowledgement of an amateur athlete. “For example, it is my understanding that every Ironman event offers prizes for the fastest overall swim, bike and run times. This was acknowledged and confirmed publicly at the official awards ceremony. I still have not been contacted by an Ironman representative to date.”

O’Dea added that his swim time of 38.24mins may also be the fastest registered Ironman swim to date.

“Obviously, I understand that each and every swim course yields different times. However, I do believe that between the 6am and 7.20am time frame of swim waves, the water conditions were the same for every athlete, both professional and amateur. I do feel that all ‘weekend warrior’ athletes deserve some sort of recognition when such an accomplishment occurs.”

Concluding, Conor acknowledged that the inaugural Ironman US Championship was a great success. “I am greatly appreciative of all the event organisers, volunteers and officials that made this event possible. Fingers crossed it gets the go ahead for next year,” he concluded.