Support for Pierre Close's family

Tuesday August 15th 2023, Embrun (FR).

After a very strong swim (59:22), Pierre Close gets out of the water and starts the 188km ride of the very challenging Embrunman XXL Triathlon. But he will not cross the finish line that day.

Twenty minutes into the ride, Pierre had a terrible, and still unexplained, accident. He was found unconscious on the side of the road by another athlete.

Pierre was rapidly transported to the Grenoble University hospital where he was diagnosed with multiple and very severe head injuries. He was then transported back to Belgium where he has remained in a deep coma and a life-threatening condition.

Pierre is a life-long athlete, a recognised therapist, a beloved father to Maïlo, 13 years old, and husband to Mary who dedicated his life to his family and the sport he loved so much.

Since 2015, has been incredibly loyal to the Purple Patch community and done so well to grow as an athlete (including two Hawaii IM World Championship finishes). He is supportive of all fellow athletes and a highly engaged member of his local community in Belgium (he founded the Triathliege club 10 years ago).

These photos were taken at Embrun, the day before the race.

In 2020, during the pandemic, he caught the Staphylococcus aureus during training and got severely sick, being barely able to run and train for months. But he did not give up and got back on his feet, stronger than before.

In July, a month before this tragic accident, he finished the Frankfurt IRONMAN in 9:28, ranking 3rd in his category, a first in his triathlon career.

Here is what he wrote to Matt Dixon (Purple Patch CEO) back then:

"Hi team,

I am part of 2 teams, one in Liège, Belgium that I create with my wife and friends 10y ago.

The other one is based far far away across the ocean but since 2015 is no day outside of my mind. I train - eat - sleep - repeat under the banner of Purple Patch Fitness Purple Patch Fitness Coached Athletes Forum… among other activities of course.

So those guys there are almost part of my family… or better said my walls & building blocks.

Yesterday I returned to IRONMAN Germany 19years after my first ironman there… to face myself aging proudly.

It was not an easy race but… resilience paid!!!

First AG podium in my life, third M45-49(I’m 48) at this European championship as they say.

2004: 9h26 (✈️️)

2023: 9h28

I signed yesterday for a 9h30 in 2042

I have no race pictures yet and will take a few hours to think about the race.

Thank you PURPLEPATCH!"

It is very clear that his family will need our help. Please consider providing some funds to help his family manage through this unforeseen, horrific change in their lives.

Part of the funds will be given back to the "Coma Science Group", the university research center dedicated to coma and others consciousness disorders.

You can also show your support by sending messages or dedicating one of your training sessions or races to Pierre, as many did last weekend during their races. It is paramount that we show him and his family our support during in this unfair fight.

Thank you in advance.