A TRIATHLETE has labelled the European Championship a "complete farce" after a motorcyclist was killed following a collision with a competitor.
The 70-year-old, who is yet to be named, was carrying an official race photographer on his motorbike in Hamburg.
During the cycling portion of the race, the motorbike carrying the photographer was involved in a horrifying head-on collision with a competitor.
The terrifying incident was picked up by television footage, with the athlete thrown off his bike and into the path of fellow competitors.
Following the crash, organisers confirmed that the 70-year-old motorcyclist had been killed in the incident - but DIDN'T halt the race.
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The triathlete, 26, was rushed to hospital having been "seriously injured".
While the shocked photographer, 50, was also brought into hospital.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash the race continued, albeit with triathletes being forced to take a diversion as cops entered the scene.
Triathlete Jan Frodeno criticised race organisers after the event, telling Bild: "It was incredibly narrow, a complete farce. I was right next to it and saw the bike shatter into what felt like a thousand pieces.
"I know that such things must always be covered by the media, but athletes' safety should come first."
Fellow participant Timo Schaffer also slammed organisers, saying: "Unfortunately, the bike course was very full. It was therefore foreseeable that there could be accidents.
"There were very, very many athletes on the second lap, with all the age groupers and the pros who had to overtake in the second row.
"Sometimes there was no other way, even in the third row. Very, very many media bikes, few referee bikes."
The gruelling race consisted of a 26.2 mile run, 3.8km swim and 180km bike ride.
It was covered by German TV, although coverage was interrupted as a mark of respect after the fatal crash.
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Following the incident, race organisers released a statement.
It read: "It is with a heavy heart that we confirmed the passing of a motorcycle operator during the Ironman European Championship Hamburg.
"At 36km of the Ironman Hamburg bike course, a credentialed motorcycle race vehicle collided with an age-group athlete who was riding on the racecourse in the opposite oncoming lane.
"An event photographer on the motorcycle, who was also injured during the collision, has since been released from hospital. The race participant remains in hospital for further treatment.
"We are devastated by this tragic accident.
"On a day meant to be a celebration of the human spirit, we instead mourn the loss of a member of our triathlon community. Our sympathies are with all those affected.
"Our priority always is ensuring the safety of our participants and those involved in the event. A police investigation is ongoing and we are co-operating with local authorities to understand the events that lead to the accident."
