Brazilian woman identified as Texas Ironman triathlete who drowned

(Paul Hanna/UPI)

April 20 (UPI) -- Officials on Monday identified the triathlete who died during the swimming leg of last weekend's Texas Ironman race as a 38-year-old Brazilian.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said Mara Flavia Souza Araujo was the athlete who died Saturday in The Woodlands, located north of Houston.

The Ironman race began with a 2.4-mile lake swim at North Shore Park where the freshwater maintains an average temperature of 74 degrees, according to the event's website, which told participants to "be prepared to swim with or without a wetsuit."

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office on Saturday confirmed a drowning had occurred during the race.

The Woodlands Fire Department performed a rescue operation, but after it was determined the athlete had died, the sheriff's office Major Crimes unit launched an investigation into the drowning.

Ironman also confirmed Saturday that there had been a death on its Facebook page.

"We are saddened to confirm the death of a race participant during the swim portion of today's IRONMAN Texas triathlon," it said.

"We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the athlete and will offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time."