PHUKET: They say tragedy brings people together in a meaningful way. This is the case with triathlete Richard Holland and his supportive friends.
In the early hours of October 11, Rich (as he's known to his friends) set out cycling in Dubai to train for the coming Laguna Phuket Ironman 70.3.
What was supposed to be a regular training ride, turned out to be anything but that. Despite taking safety precautions, Rich was hit from behind by a car, sustaining multiple life-threatening injuries.
These included: broken ribs, punctured lungs, a fractured sternum, fractured right fibula, and severe injuries to his brain. His brain injuries are substantial, the worst of which is a contusion on his brain stem.
in the first month or two after a severe brain injury, it is only possible to guess at the length of time that recovery will take and the likely outcome - all that is certain is that recovery is a slow process and will take months or years rather than weeks.
Rich has received excellent medical care in Dubai. However, a key step in his recovery involves admitting him into a neuro-rehabilitation facility where he can receive the best possible rehabilitation therapies.
As soon as he is stable enough, Rich will be medically repatriated to a facility in his home country, South Africa for essential rehabilitation.
The crash has left Rich in a persistent coma and thus he cannot compete in the Phuket Ironman as planned.
This race has special significance for Rich. Having competed in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon in 2010, Rich had set his sights on the Ironman 70.3 Race and was in impeccable shape and fighting fit when his crash occurred.
To show their support and spread the appeal for Rich and cycle safety, several of his friends and fellow athletes from Dubai (and around the globe) will be competing in the Ironman event in his honor.
They, and anyone else who would like to show their support, will be donning Back On Your Bike wrist bands. The Back On Your Bike campaign has been established for Rich to raise money for his medical recovery.
A world-championship level triathlete, passionate fisherman, avid outdoorsman, loving brother and loyal friend are just some of the words that come to mind when asked to describe Rich.
Rich proudly represented South Africa in the 2007 World Duathlon Championships.
He has competed regularly in triathlons and duathlons around the world, from Thailand to Canada, Singapore to Johannesburg. He is a passionate individual who exudes energy into all that he does.
Rich and his friends planned to celebrate his 30th birthday whilst in Thailand (Rich turns 30 on November 30). Rest assured that his friends and fellow triathletes will celebrate in his honor.
For more information on Back on Your Bike, how you can participate, or donate via www.backonyourbike.com.
Racing For Rich: Team Mate Profiles
Andrew MacRae, Edward Hawkins and Brett Smyth, are just some of the Dubai-based athletes that will be racing for Rich on the December 2.
Andrew MacRae:
Originally hailing from the UK (but currently based in Dubai), Andy is an ICT teacher with a passion for triathlon. His impressive results to date include:
- 9th Overall, World Biathlete Championship 2012, Dubai
- 2nd (AG 20-24), Abu Dhabi Long Course, 2011
- 11th (AG 20-24), Anthwerp Ironman 70.3, 2011
- 23rd (AG 20-24), World Triathlon Championship 2012, Budapest
- 5th (AG 20-24), European Triathlon Championship 2009, Holton
Andy has set his sights on placing within the top 5 in his age group (25-29) in Phuket and hopes to qualify for the 70.3 World Championship, 2013.
Edward Hawkins
Ed is a UK athlete currently based in Dubai where he works as a teacher. His spare time is taken up competing in triathlons where he has notched up the following impressive results:
- Represented Great Britain as a long distance triathlete
- Ironman 70.3 World Championship Qualifier
- Ironman Hawaii World Championship Qualifier, 2011
- Great Britain Top 5 (Age Group), Roth, 2012
Brett Smyth
Relatively new to the world of triathlon, Brett was encouraged by Richard to compete in his first Ironman 70.3 event in Singapore this year (placing 31st in his age category). Brett will be racing in Phuket on behalf of Richard to show his support for the Back On your Bike Campaign. He is also acting as the official spokesperson for the Dubai athletes on tour in Phuket.
Distributed on behalf of Back On Your Bike by: Pippa Holland and Brett Smyth
pippa@backonyourbike.com / +614 12 095 965
smyth.brett@gmail.com / +971 506 005 508
In the early hours of October 11, Rich (as he's known to his friends) set out cycling in Dubai to train for the coming Laguna Phuket Ironman 70.3.
What was supposed to be a regular training ride, turned out to be anything but that. Despite taking safety precautions, Rich was hit from behind by a car, sustaining multiple life-threatening injuries.
These included: broken ribs, punctured lungs, a fractured sternum, fractured right fibula, and severe injuries to his brain. His brain injuries are substantial, the worst of which is a contusion on his brain stem.
in the first month or two after a severe brain injury, it is only possible to guess at the length of time that recovery will take and the likely outcome - all that is certain is that recovery is a slow process and will take months or years rather than weeks.
Rich has received excellent medical care in Dubai. However, a key step in his recovery involves admitting him into a neuro-rehabilitation facility where he can receive the best possible rehabilitation therapies.
As soon as he is stable enough, Rich will be medically repatriated to a facility in his home country, South Africa for essential rehabilitation.
The crash has left Rich in a persistent coma and thus he cannot compete in the Phuket Ironman as planned.
This race has special significance for Rich. Having competed in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon in 2010, Rich had set his sights on the Ironman 70.3 Race and was in impeccable shape and fighting fit when his crash occurred.
To show their support and spread the appeal for Rich and cycle safety, several of his friends and fellow athletes from Dubai (and around the globe) will be competing in the Ironman event in his honor.
They, and anyone else who would like to show their support, will be donning Back On Your Bike wrist bands. The Back On Your Bike campaign has been established for Rich to raise money for his medical recovery.
A world-championship level triathlete, passionate fisherman, avid outdoorsman, loving brother and loyal friend are just some of the words that come to mind when asked to describe Rich.
Rich proudly represented South Africa in the 2007 World Duathlon Championships.
He has competed regularly in triathlons and duathlons around the world, from Thailand to Canada, Singapore to Johannesburg. He is a passionate individual who exudes energy into all that he does.
Rich and his friends planned to celebrate his 30th birthday whilst in Thailand (Rich turns 30 on November 30). Rest assured that his friends and fellow triathletes will celebrate in his honor.
For more information on Back on Your Bike, how you can participate, or donate via www.backonyourbike.com.
Racing For Rich: Team Mate Profiles
Andrew MacRae, Edward Hawkins and Brett Smyth, are just some of the Dubai-based athletes that will be racing for Rich on the December 2.
Andrew MacRae:
Originally hailing from the UK (but currently based in Dubai), Andy is an ICT teacher with a passion for triathlon. His impressive results to date include:
- 9th Overall, World Biathlete Championship 2012, Dubai
- 2nd (AG 20-24), Abu Dhabi Long Course, 2011
- 11th (AG 20-24), Anthwerp Ironman 70.3, 2011
- 23rd (AG 20-24), World Triathlon Championship 2012, Budapest
- 5th (AG 20-24), European Triathlon Championship 2009, Holton
Andy has set his sights on placing within the top 5 in his age group (25-29) in Phuket and hopes to qualify for the 70.3 World Championship, 2013.
Edward Hawkins
Ed is a UK athlete currently based in Dubai where he works as a teacher. His spare time is taken up competing in triathlons where he has notched up the following impressive results:
- Represented Great Britain as a long distance triathlete
- Ironman 70.3 World Championship Qualifier
- Ironman Hawaii World Championship Qualifier, 2011
- Great Britain Top 5 (Age Group), Roth, 2012
Brett Smyth
Relatively new to the world of triathlon, Brett was encouraged by Richard to compete in his first Ironman 70.3 event in Singapore this year (placing 31st in his age category). Brett will be racing in Phuket on behalf of Richard to show his support for the Back On your Bike Campaign. He is also acting as the official spokesperson for the Dubai athletes on tour in Phuket.
Distributed on behalf of Back On Your Bike by: Pippa Holland and Brett Smyth
pippa@backonyourbike.com / +614 12 095 965
smyth.brett@gmail.com / +971 506 005 508
