While the obvious pratfalls of holding a triathlon in a park prevalent with wildlife may not seem obvious, a competitor at an event in Dublin City, Ireland got all that he bargained for as a deer took a leap of faith in dictating the finishing order in the rigorous race.
The stunning image captured by photographer Erik Scraggs, displays the high flying buck accosting the cycling competitor in Phoenix Park as the race reaches a turn. Miraculously, victim and stud athlete Shane O’Reilly was not injured and finished the grueling event in a respectable time.
There is no word yet that Irish officials will file charges against the deer, who was not injured in the encounter. The country’s Olympic committee is looking to bolster the hurdling teams chances at the next games by training the animal with the help of beleaguered Patrick Hickey.