“SORRY, Ironman fans. I am not changing my mind.”
THIS was the response that Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña gave to sports enthusiasts and critics who criticized him for not allowing organizers of the Ironman triathlon to use the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) as part of the race route this year.
In his official Facebook page, the mayor posted an explanation dated June 23 on why the international sports competition’s organizers will have to look for another route.
“With N. Bacalso Ave. already being affected by the construction of the underpass, the SRP (South Road Properties) will not be shut down. I know that there are thousands of you (Ironman fans), but there are tens of thousands more who need that road to commute,” he said.
Osmeña earlier said it was not an easy decision but he is bound to answer to the public when concerns about heavy traffic and road safety are raised.
He added that when a portion of the road was closed in August last year for the Ironman, two accidents happened in the other lane because it was converted to a two-way street.
“Turning one side of the South Coastal Road into a two-way road is also very dangerous...It is very prestigious to host the Ironman, but I don’t want that prestige if it hurts my people and makes them miserable,” Osmeña said.
“There are other less populated parts of Cebu who can host the Ironman with no detriment to their constituents. I’m sure they are very willing to have you. Good luck on your event,” he added.
The race is set in August and will start, as it has in previous years, in Lapu-Lapu City.
Part of the second leg, a 90-kilometer bike race, used to take place on the CSCR.
Organizers have asked for a few days to revise the race route. (RTF)