UPDATE: Kelowna Apple Triathlon officials hoping to go ahead with Sunday race schedule

(UPDATE: Aug. 18 @ 10:41 a.m.) - Race officials says they are planning to proceed with Sunday's planned schedule for the Apple Triathlon providing that air quality improves. Race distances may be modified depending on air quality.

Due to Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) rated at 10+ in the Kelowna region, which is considered very high risk, all races at the Kelowna Apple Triathlon have been canceled on Saturday including the CAMTRI/National Championship semifinals.

The Kelowna Apple Triathlon and Triathlon Canada have canceled the Elite/U-23/Junior National Championships; however, race officials are planning to conduct a CAMTRI sprint race for both men and women on Sunday, August 19.

All CAMTRI athletes are permitted to withdraw from the race with no penalties and return home if they choose to do so. Athletes who would like to be withdrawn from the start list are being asked to do so by Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Officials announced this morning that the ITU and Triathlon Canada have removed all eligibility requirements tied to the race. Triathlon Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee will adjust the Pan American Games selection criteria for Canadian athletes. Triathlon Canada will update all impacted participants, along with its provincial partners, as soon as the new criteria is completed.

“This is obviously an unfortunate situation, but the health and safety of every athlete scheduled to hit the start line this weekend remains our number one priority, and that continues to be at the core of every decision we make over the next 24 hours,” said Susie Ernsting, Race Director for the Apple Triathlon. “We will continue to work with health care professionals to monitor the situation, and simply will not put any athlete at risk if the conditions are deemed not to be safe.”

For more information, please visit the announcement made by race officials here.

(Original Story: Aug. 18 @ 7:45 a.m.)

The Apple Triathlon will not be going forward today because of the smoke that is covering the region.

“For the health and safety of our athletes we have made the decision to forgo racing,” organizers announced this morning.

Organizers said yesterday that they would be monitoring the situation closely, as conditions change hourly, however they would cancel or delay if air quality remained poor.

Some athletes had already opted out of participating this weekend because of the smoke filled skies currently impacting the Okanagan.

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement with the air quality index currently at 10+ , the highest level. It is forecasted to stay at that level for all of Saturday.

"Smoky skies will continue across most of the province for the next few days," says Environment Canada. "Local smoke levels may vary based on wind direction and fire characteristics but, until a significant change in the provincial weather pattern occurs, widespread air quality improvements are not expected."

Officials have not yet cancelled the event for tomorrow, which is when the International Triathlon Union (ITU) CAMTRI race is set to take place.