The Staff GB decathlete Ben Gregory is on life help after being concerned in a critical biking accident.
Gregory, 31, who has represented Wales at three Commonwealth Video games – Delhi 2010, Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 – is in a coma after struggling a fractured cranium and neck and mind haemorrhages.
Writing on social media, Gregory’s girlfriend, Naomi Heffernan, mentioned: “Ben was in a critical bike accident. He has a fractured cranium, neck and a number of haemorrhages to his mind. He’s in a coma and on life help.
“I’ve by no means felt so scared, helpless and sick to the abdomen. Ben wants your constructive ideas and prayers proper now. Those that know Ben know the way robust he’s mentally and bodily. He’s a fighter and he’ll get by way of this.
“Please pray for him and ship all of the constructive vitality and ideas you’ll be able to muster.”
Earlier than forging a profitable profession in observe and area athletics, Gregory started his sporting profession in youth rugby union, enjoying for London Wasps Academy, and later studied at Loughborough College whereas pursuing athletics professionally.
As an athlete, Gregory positioned sixth within the Commonwealth Video games in Delhi in 2010, the place he set a brand new Commonwealth pole vault report, and went on to set a brand new private finest after inserting sixth once more on the video games in Glasgow in 2014. He additionally holds a Welsh nationwide report, which he set in 2016 after profitable the Mount Sax Relays Decathlon. Gregory additionally works as a mannequin, signed to W Mannequin Administration in London, and as private coach and coach.
Messages of help for Gregory have been shared on social media by fellow athletes. Former world champion hurdler Dai Greene mentioned: “Unhappy to listen to the information about Ben Gregory. Hoping he pulls by way of. One of many nicest and most constructive individuals I’ve had the pleasure to be round on the observe; maintain preventing, Ben.”
The chief govt of Welsh Athletics, James Williams, mentioned: “Sending my prayers to Ben Gregory, one of many nicest and most real people I’ve ever had the privilege of understanding. Hold preventing, pal, we’re all praying for you.”
In one other tweet, Stephen Morris, a retired double Paralympian, mentioned: “Ideas on Ben Gregory. I hope he pulls by way of. One of many nicest guys I’ve meet throughout my athletics days. Hold preventing, Ben.”
Welsh Athletics issued a press release saying: “Our ideas and prayers are with Ben’s family and friends presently.
“Ben’s accomplishments as an athlete converse for themselves: Wales’s biggest ever decathlete – three Commonwealth Video games, the Welsh report holder, and representing Wales and Nice Britain a number of instances.
“The outpouring of help throughout social media is testomony to his reputation as an individual and as an athlete. Everybody who has had the privilege of coaching or competing alongside Ben will converse of his unbelievable love of life, his kindness, help and loyalty.
“We are going to all proceed to wish for a full restoration for Ben.”
In October 2020, Gregory was concerned in one other biking accident. On the time, he mentioned he escaped critical accidents as he was sporting a helmet and used the chance to lift consciousness of the significance of doing so.
He posted footage of the broken helmet on social media, including: “They do a job & they’re cheap when you consider what the choice could be. Decide up a helmet once you journey a motorbike, simply the identical as you’d put a seatbelt on in a automobile. Be secure. Grateful to be in a single piece after the collision on Monday. Thanks all a lot for all of the effectively needs and help. It’s been a troublesome week, however undoubtedly on the highway to restoration.”
