Thaddeus was my friend, and i knew him well a few years ago when i used to train with the Singapore Triathlon Team. The news of his passing has shocked me greatly, just as it has shocked many others. Please take care and exercise caution when training and racing.
Rest in Peace
By Jeanette Wang & Lee Hui Chieh
Jun 25, 2007
The Straits Times
A PROMISING teenage triathlete collapsed after crossing the finish line in a South-east Asia Games selection race yesterday and died soon after.
Thaddeus Cheong, 17, a first-year student at Raffles Junior College, had just swum 1.5km, cycled 40km and run 10km at Changi.
He clocked a personal best of 2hr 9min, and came in third. Then he collapsed.
The boy’s parents, George and Angeline Cheong, both 46, were present and rushed to their elder son. Their younger boy, Thomas, 13, is also a triathlon enthusiast.
Mrs Cheong told The Straits Times last night: ‘We did not know his heart had stopped beating. We kept calling him, but there was no answer.’
Thaddeus was unconscious and foaming at the mouth when he was taken to Changi General Hospital (CGH). Doctors were unable to resuscitate him and pronounced him dead at 10.55am.
Police have classified it as a case of unnatural death, and a coroner’s inquiry will be held.
Family members, team-mates and friends were in shock as news of the teen’s death spread yesterday.
By afternoon, his school and church friends had started posting messages of grief online in their blogs.
Yesterday’s SEA Games trial was the first of two to decide the two men and two women triathletes to represent Singapore in the year-end regional sports meet.
Thaddeus was among eight men and three women who started the race at about 6.45am at the Tanah Merah Country Club’s swimming pool.
Triathlon Association of Singapore senior executive and assistant national coach Jerry Seah said Thaddeus looked confident, happy and ready to go before the flag-off.
Participant Sikhander Singh, who finished sixth behind Thaddeus, said: ‘He looked fresh throughout the race. I had never seen him look better on the run.
‘It was his best year so far in his triathlon career. I am very sad to see him go.’
Describing her son as an achiever, Mrs Cheong said: ‘When he wanted something, he would work hard to get it.’
He was so keen to book a SEA Games slot that he had doubled his training stints to twice daily during the school holidays.
Raffles JC’s cross-country teacher-in-charge, Mr Tay Meng Kiat, said: ‘He was a very good child and well-liked by his team-mates.’
College principal Winston Hodge said: ‘We are shocked and deeply saddened by Thaddeus’ sudden passing, and our hearts and thoughts are with his family and friends.’
Among those who paid tribute online was a boy named Yao Khuan, who said they had been friends since Primary 5.
He wrote on his blog: ‘Thaddeus, if you can hear me…I’d like to tell you that you’re the coolest guy, and that I’ve always looked up to you, and I hope that it is a better place in heaven.’’
Mrs Cheong said: 'Thaddeus is a very, very good boy. He is every mother’s dream. He is a no-nonsense person, will tell you what he means, short and sharp and quickly.
‘But now, he has just left without saying goodbye.’ jwang@sph.com.sg huichieh@sph.com.sg
THere was a track runner Manny who colapsed at track practice about 8 years ago when I was in high school. His heart also just stopped. They never figured out what happened, even after months of tests. Sucks alot… it should have been a great day for him…
This is terribly sad news. When our sport is working hard to grow it’s youth movement/future generation, a tragedy strikes. More importantly, a boy chasing a dream, living life and wellness/fitness, and enjoying sport, has his chapter in the world closed.
Though they would have to be in a shockable rhythm to be any good. But not a bad idea. Or RD’s could have them.
Don’t some (most?) races have an EMT crew on site anyway?
Many sudden cardiac arrest victims are in V-fib, a very shockable rhyhm. Public access defibrillator campaigns have had great success in increasing surival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
All races should have EMS on site, but depending on the size and layout of the venue their response time may be longer than desirable. Generally for every minute that passes without defibrillation there is a 10% decrease in the chance of survival. Some studies show a steep drop-off after just 4 minutes.
Having AEDs near transition/finish areas is a great idea. Anyone can operate them (even children), and the more quickly they’re employed the better.
I’m very sorry to hear about this incident, my heart goes out to this young man’s friends and family.
and yes, this is a very sad event. Sad weekend, counting the Quartermax death, too.
though I am super proud of how the tri community made such a huge effort
So young and so much ahead of him , besides so much potential in our sport.
Condolences to his family , friends and fellow participants.
I hope Triathlon Association Of Singapore ( and race directors / organisers everywhere ) have ensured, that the correct medical equipment was available at T1 , T2 and at the finish line.
Additionally, I hope that the cause of his death is brought to light so that the chances of similiar deaths will be minimised in the future , at all triathlons globally.
Just received some news. Apparently it was a SEA(South-East Asian) games selection, and therefore it was not a proper race. Hence they did not provide proper medical cover( with ambulances and EMTs). They also did not administer CPR to him.
Will update with more news. Hopefully a lesson can be learned from this tragedy.
They don’t always have them, but they should **absolutely, without a doubt should have one there…no questions asked. **The Birmngham running community lost a runner earlier this year after the Seaside 1/2 Marathon. He collapsed about mile 7 and it took 30 minutes (which is ridiculous) for the EMTS to arrive…and they didn’t have a defibrulater (spelling?). 2 of his training buddies were at the race with him and stopped and performed CPR on him. Unfortunately, he passed away a little under a week later. He was sustaining his own heartbeat, but nothing else. He was about 30.
We have a handful of really stellar runners in the area and he was one of the real up and comers, he had only started running in the last 3-5 years. He ran about a 2:49 marathon. He trained occaisionally with my husband. It has been very difficult around here since. A lot of it is concern over lack of medical equipment and personnel at events.
It should be required. If our friend had gotten the proper treatment (the defibrulator) quicker, we’d have one more sub 3 hour marathoner in Birmingham. He was married and has a precious little boy.
If anyone has access to a race director of a road race, cycling race, or tri, please, please, encourage them to get an ambulance with a portable defibrulator that can be accessed quickly. Our local one always does.
I agree. The latest news reports seem to suggest that it’s too expensive for the associations of each sport to employ defibrillator’s during every training session. CPR was not administered to Thaddeus and neither was an ambulance called. He was taken to the hospital in a van.
This is really disturbing news, as if CPR had been administered, he still would be here with us today.
CPR alone would not have helped. He needed an AED/defibrillator placed and used within about 5 minutes (if good chest compressions are being used) - nothing else matters - ambulances/CPR…CPR can give you an extra few minutes - but nothing else. An AED if used quickly would have had a chance of saving him.
The U.S. has looked at public AED’s - and especially as they become more widely dispersed - they are becoming fairly affordable and are quite easy to use. Airlines is a big area where people argue about this as ambulances are far/far away…earlier studies suggested that they were not “cost effective” but I think most U.S. airlines still choose to carry them (and the flight attendants are trained to use them). Other airlines - ??? Vegas has the most per square mile.
I agree. The latest news reports seem to suggest that it’s too expensive for the associations of each sport to employ defibrillator’s during every training session. CPR was not administered to Thaddeus and neither was an ambulance called. He was taken to the hospital in a van.
This is really disturbing news, as if CPR had been administered, he still would be here with us today.
Praks
Thanks for the update and for the original posting.
Very sorry again to hear that based upon the “latest news reports” its to expensive…
Considering the fact that I am a “foreigner” living in Singapore… " no comment ".
I agree. The latest news reports seem to suggest that it’s too expensive for the associations of each sport to employ defibrillator’s during every training session. CPR was not administered to Thaddeus and neither was an ambulance called. He was taken to the hospital in a van.
This is really disturbing news, as if CPR had been administered, he still would be here with us today.
You cannot guarantee a good outcome just by defibrillating. The underlying cause needs to be promptly treated as well, i.e. hyperthermia and dehydration. Prompt insertion of IV’s and rapid administration of the appropriate fluids along with measures to reduce core temperature.
Would it not make more sense to do triathlons in the colder months rather than in the hot summer?
