Race day and the crash

The morning of October 23, 2025, was supposed to mark a milestone for Filipino triathlon. Instead, it became a stark reminder of how quickly athletic dreams can turn into nightmares when safety infrastructure fails our young athletes.

Euan Arrow Ramos was having the race of his young life. The 15-year-old Filipino triathlete had emerged from the swimming portion in ninth place among 39 competitors at the Asian Youth Games triathlon in Bahrain. During the cycling stage, he was steadily closing the gap on the leaders, demonstrating the preparation and skill that had earned him a spot on the national team.

Then disaster struck. On a tight turn, Ramos's wheel clipped a "cateye" – a reflective road stud used for lane marking. In an instant, the promising athlete was on the asphalt, suffering scratches and bruises across his body, including significant injuries to his right arm and leg.

"It was unfortunate because Arrow was strong and the boys prepared well," said Ting Joson, secretary general of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines. "It's just unfortunate that there was a cat's eye there."

The severity of the crash necessitated immediate medical attention, with Ramos being transported to Bahrain Defense Force Hospital for treatment. What should have been a celebration of youth athletic achievement became a medical emergency that highlighted serious safety concerns in international youth competition.

Course Safety: The Technical Challenges That Went Unaddressed

The incident that injured Ramos wasn't an isolated occurrence. Multiple athletes encountered problems with the reflective road studs throughout the race, forcing officials to make mid-competition adjustments to the course layout.

What are "cateyes" or reflective road studs? These are small, raised markers embedded in road surfaces to provide visual guidance for drivers, especially at night. While useful for vehicular traffic, they create hazardous obstacles for cyclists traveling at high speeds during triathlon competitions.

The fact that officials had to move cones and alter the course "on the fly" raises serious questions about pre-race safety inspections. International triathlon competitions require extensive course evaluation, yet these dangerous obstacles apparently went unnoticed until athletes began crashing.

"Even if they changed the course on the fly, it's the officials' prerogative if they feel that's the safer way to do it," Joson acknowledged. "As a technical official, if you see that an accident happened and you can prevent it from happening again, you have to make those calls."

While officials' quick response to modify the course after the incidents showed appropriate crisis management, it also highlighted a critical failure in preventive safety measures. For young athletes just beginning their triathlon journey, proper safety equipment and course preparation are essential.

The Human Cost: Beyond Physical Injuries

For Ramos, the crash represents far more than temporary physical pain. At 15, he was at a crucial stage of athletic development, building toward potential future Olympic participation. The psychological impact of such a traumatic incident during an international competition can have lasting effects on young athletes.

The crash also affected Team Philippines's overall performance at the games. Adding to the team's disappointment, Peter Sancho del Rosario was disqualified from his 12th-place finish due to a technical infraction during the second transition – removing his headgear before properly racking his bike.

These setbacks underscore how safety failures cascade beyond individual injuries to impact entire national programs and athlete development pathways. Proper protective cycling helmets with safety features are crucial for preventing serious injuries during crashes.

Meanwhile, China's Li Yansong claimed victory in 27 minutes and 0.4 seconds, followed by Kazakhstan's Ramazan Ainegov (27:11) and Korea's Kang Woohyeon (27:13) – results that were achieved on a course that had proven dangerous to other competitors.

Official Response: Crisis Management vs. Prevention

The response from race officials and the Triathlon Association of the Philippines revealed both strengths and weaknesses in current safety protocols. Officials demonstrated appropriate crisis management by:

• Providing immediate medical attention to injured athletes
• Making real-time course modifications to prevent additional incidents
• Ensuring proper medical evacuation procedures

However, the incident also exposed critical gaps in preventive safety measures:

• Pre-race inspections: The presence of dangerous road studs suggests inadequate course evaluation before competition
• Safety standards: Unclear whether international youth triathlon safety guidelines address road surface hazards adequately
• Risk assessment: Questions remain about who is responsible for identifying and mitigating course dangers before athletes compete

Joson's comments, while diplomatically phrased, hint at systemic issues: "As a technical official, if you see that an accident happened and you can prevent it from happening again, you have to make those calls." The emphasis on reactive rather than proactive safety measures is troubling, especially when compared to professional race standards.

Lessons for Youth Sports Safety: What Must Change

1. Comprehensive Pre-Race Safety Audits
   Every course element must be evaluated for potential hazards, particularly road surface conditions that can affect high-speed cycling portions.
2. Age-Appropriate Safety Standards
   Youth competitions require enhanced safety protocols compared to adult events, recognizing that young athletes may have less experience managing dangerous situations.
3. Clear Authority and Accountability
   Organizations must establish clear chains of responsibility for safety oversight, from initial course design through competition execution.
4. Emergency Response Excellence
   While crisis response was handled well in this case, standardized emergency protocols should be established for all international youth competitions. Athletes should also consider heart rate monitors for safety tracking during training and competition.
5. Athlete Welfare Priority
   Competition results must never take precedence over athlete safety – a principle that requires both policy changes and cultural shifts in competitive sports.

The Path Forward: Building Safer Competition Environments

The Asian Youth Games triathlon incident should serve as a catalyst for meaningful change in youth sports safety. International sports organizations, including the International Triathlon Union and continental federations, must:

• Develop enhanced safety standards specifically for youth competitions that address infrastructure requirements, emergency response protocols, and pre-competition inspection procedures.
• Mandate safety training for all officials involved in youth competitions, ensuring they can identify and address potential hazards before athletes are at risk.
• Create reporting systems that allow for sharing of safety incidents and best practices across international competitions, similar to how tragic incidents in adult competitions have led to improved protocols.
• Invest in athlete welfare programs that provide both physical and psychological support for injured athletes during recovery.

Moving Beyond This Moment

While Euan Arrow Ramos recovers from his injuries, the broader youth sports community must ensure his experience leads to meaningful change. The 15-year-old's crash in Bahrain should mark a turning point where athletic organizations prioritize prevention over reaction.

Young athletes deserve competition environments where they can pursue their dreams without unnecessary risk. Creating those environments requires commitment from organizers, officials, and governing bodies at every level of sport. Whether athletes are just starting their triathlon journey or competing at elite youth levels, safety must be paramount.

The next time a 15-year-old triathlete lines up for an international competition, the course should be as meticulously prepared for their safety as they are prepared for competition. Anything less fails to honor the dedication these young athletes bring to their sport – and the trust their families place in sports organizations to protect them.

What safety concerns have you witnessed in youth sports? Share your experiences and help build awareness for athlete protection initiatives.