exhaustion

The beautiful summer weather changed and severe weather was predicted for that afternoon and evening: heavy rain showers with a lot of wind and a high chance of thunderstorms and hail.
The authorities decided to stop, or not to let start, a number of events, so as not to endanger the participants.
For example, a swimming competition across the country’s largest lake was stopped halfway.
Stopped halfway…?
In my mind’s eye I saw hundreds of people in the middle of the lake, desperately treading water in the storm…