Lin Chung, 34, of Queens, dies while competing in Hamptons triathlon, police say

A 34-year-old Queens man died Sunday during the Mighty Hamptons Steve Tarpinian Memorial Triathlon near Sag Harbor and North Haven, according to Southampton Town police and the event organizer.

Lin Chung, of Long Island City, suffered distress during the swim portion of the race off Long Beach in Noyac Bay just after 7 a.m., police said. He was removed unconscious from the water and pronounced dead at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.

In an email Monday, Vicki Ventura, of EventPower, which organized the race, wrote, "We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of a male athlete who suffered a medical emergency during the swim portion of yesterday's Mighty Hamptons Triathlon. Our sport of triathlon lost a member of our beloved community. We extend our deepest condolences to the athlete’s family and friends and we offer them our support as they go through this unimaginable time. We also thank the first responders on scene for their assistance. We request privacy for the family as they navigate this loss."

In 2016, a Westchester County man died during the swim portion of the Smith Point Spring Triathlon in Narrow Bay, another EventPower event. 

The Mighty Hamptons triathlon is one of the largest and oldest on the East Coast, attracting hundreds of competitors. The triathlon’s website describes an Olympic triathlon course including a roughly mile-long out-and-back swim along the shore of the bay, a 23.8-mile bike ride and a 6.2-mile run. A super-sprint course offers shorter distances.

By Nicholas Spangler

nicholas.spangler@newsday.comspanglernewsday

Nicholas Spangler is a general assignment reporter and has worked at Newsday since 2010.