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15 Athletes Who Tragically Died While Competing

Tragic Marathon Endings


Francisco Lázaro’s Fatal Wax Job
In the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, Francisco Lázaro, a Portuguese marathon runner, thought he had a genius idea. He covered himself in wax to prevent sunburn, but instead of beating the heat, he beat himself. The wax blocked his sweat glands, causing severe dehydration and overheating. Lázaro’s race ended in a collapse and death, highlighting the dangers of DIY sunblock.


A Hot Mess in Stockholm
Lázaro’s untimely demise shocked the sports world and turned the spotlight on the critical need for proper hydration and cooling measures. It turns out, running a marathon wrapped in wax isn’t the best idea. His tragic story serves as a bizarre yet poignant reminder of the extremes athletes can go to, sometimes with fatal consequences.

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