A Japanese triathlete was struck and killed by a speeding vehicle on Wednesday, July 27, while she was reportedly training to compete in the 2024 Olympics in France.
Japanese triathlete Tsudoi Miyazaki, 25, has been confirmed dead after being hit by a speeding car while she was allegedly riding her bike during a practice session near Orleans, a city 69 miles outside of Paris. The incident happened while she was practicing at a training camp after competing in the Pontevedra World Cup in Spain last weekend, where she finished 50th in position, New York Post reported.
French authorities stated that they are still investigating the incident and have not released further information regarding the accident. Meanwhile, the Japan Triathlon Union has dispatched additional resources to help in the investigation.
Miyazaki was born in Toyama City, Japan, and took up participating in triathlon competitions in college. She won the Japan U23 Triathlon Championships in 2019. Miyazaki was ranked 142 in the women’s World Triathlon Rankings at the time of her death.
According to her friends and coworkers, Miyazaki was aiming to be selected for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics which are scheduled to be held in Paris and Los Angeles respectively, the Sun reported.
After confirming the news of Miyazaki's accident, a statement was released by the World Triathlon organization expressing their condolences to the athlete's loved ones in the tragic incident.
"World Triathlon and the Japan Triathlon Union want to offer our deepest condolences to Ms. Miyazaki's family, friends, coaches, and teammates. The thoughts of all the Triathlon Family are with you all in these terrible times," the statement from World Triathlon said.
After winning the Japan U23 Triathlon Championships in 2019, Miyazaki was a highly-rated prospect in the sport. She had the expectation that she may be able to win a medal at the Olympic games and was practicing hard for the selection process.
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