Triathlon New Zealand has been in constant contact with Andrea Hewitt and her support team in France and here in New Zealand over the past six weeks since the tragic death of her fiance and coach Laurent Vidal.
During this time the priority has been and continues to be Andreas welfare, ensuring that there has been no pressure to make any long term decisions as to her racing programme and support staff.
At Hewitts request, Tri NZ is able to confirm that she will be continuing on to the Rio Olympic Games, with High Performance Director Graeme Maw confirming the decision this morning.
Andrea has indicated a clear desire to continue on to Rio and to represent New Zealand on the Olympic stage for a third time. Through a difficult time, Andrea has never wavered from that desire but clearly needed and still needs time to think through the steps towards Rio, but she has asked us to convey that decision, that she will race in Rio.
No other decisions are being made at this time in regards her support staff. For now we will continue to stay in dialogue with Andrea and those close to her, while respecting her ongoing request for privacy as she returns home to New Zealand to spend Christmas with her family and loved ones. We ask that media also respect that need for time and space. Andrea will make any announcements about her programme and support team in the New Year, when she is ready.
Maw said Hewitt did convey her thanks to the wider sporting community and media back home for their support.
Andrea will speak in her own time but has asked that Tri NZ passes on her thanks for the support and message received over the past few weeks, messages that were heartfelt and warmly received by both Andrea and Laurents family in France.
For now Andrea must be left to return home and spend the holiday season with her family and friends and go about putting together her Rio campaign without intrusion or speculation. Tri NZ will continue to support her in every way possible.