The swimming is. Competing in triathlons is up to the individual.

Challenging human endeavors involve risk.

My son has done triathlons, and his good friend competed quite well in that particular one.

That tragedy was very sad and cast a shadow over the whole event.

That said, I bike and run and was interested in triathlons myself at one time (no longer) but I have never had a real desire to swim for distance in a large group like that.

Just me. Swimming is tremendous exercise and I enjoy it and echo what others have said here as to its benefits.