Russian athlete Elena Smirnova died during a triathlon tournament in Spain — the woman felt unwell during the swim, and rescuers were unable to save her. During the swim portion of the renowned Ironman triathlon tournament, 41-year-old Elena Smirnova began to struggle in the water and signaled for help to the sea rescue team. According to the tournament organizers, despite the doctors' efforts, the athlete passed away in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Meanwhile, Spanish media report that she was pulled from the water only after the swim had ended — at that point, according to their reports, she was already dead. Elena was born in Saint Petersburg, was an experienced athlete, and had been competing in triathlon tournaments for four years. Her body is currently in Spain, where an autopsy will be conducted — the exact cause of her death remains unclear. On the day of the tragedy, the athlete was supposed to swim nearly 4 km, cycle 180 km, and then run a 41 km race.