Triathlon organizers on competitor's passing: 'We share our greatest sympathies with the family and friends of the athlete'

A participant of the Ironman 70.3 Texas, that recently took place in Galveston, died following the event, organizers said, according to reports from Houston-based media outlets. The triathlon's Facebook page said that the athlete required and received medical attention during the swim portion.

"The athlete was transported to a nearby hospital where we were saddened to learn they passed away," the organizers wrote. "We share our greatest sympathies with the family and friends of the athlete and will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time. We thank the swim safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical support."

The deceased was identified by the Galveston County Medical Examiner's Office as 46-year-old Daniel Winkler of Arlington, Massachusetts, Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported.

Winkler's spouse said Winkler had exercise-induced asthma, but had it under control, the station reported.

KPRC reported that Winkler was four inches under the water, and lifeguards later caught sight of him at nearly 8:30 a.m. that morning.

According to Houston ABC affiliate KTRK, the course Winkler attempted was the 1.2-mile, one-loop saltwater swim along Galveston's beachfront.

Aside from the swim, Ironman 70.3 also features a 56-mile, one-loop bike course along the beach and a 13.1 mile, four-loop run through Moody Gardens and Offatts Bayou, the station reported.

The Mayo Clinic explains on its website that exercise-induced asthma "is a narrowing of the airways in the lungs triggered by strenuous exercise."

Among its symptoms are shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing during or after exercise.

The preferred name for the condition is exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, according to the Mayo Clinic.