Triathlon Australia and the entire Triathlon world are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Laurent Vidal who passed away peacefully while sleeping at his home in France.
Laurent is well known to Australian triathlon fans winning the ITU Mooloolaba World Cup & OTU Geelong Oceania Cup in 2012 before going onto to finish 3rd at the ITU Sydney World Triathlon Series. Later in the year, Laurent finished an outstanding 5th at the 2012 London Olympics Games. Vidal was also a 3 x French National Triathlon Champion.
Laurent Vidal winning the 2012 ITU Mooloolaba World Cup triathlon. Image courtesy of Delly Carr Sportshoot/ITU
The popular Frenchman who claimed to be 49% Kiwi was a two-time Olympian, competing at both the Beijing and London Olympic Games. He was a multiple ITU World Triathlon Series & ITU World Cup medallist, Vidal was a strong and consistent force in men’s ITU racing until he retired in 2014 after suffering cardiopulmonary arrest. While his racing career was cut short, Vidal carried his passion for triathlon into coaching as the coach of his New Zealand fiancée Andrea Hewitt, as well as several top French athletes. He also stepped into the role as the Athlete Representative on the ITU Executive Board.
“What an incredible shock to the triathlon community. I was only talking to Laurent at the Olympic Triathlon Test Event in Rio back in August,” said Triathlon Australia CEO, Miles Stewart. “He was a great athlete, a successful coach, a student of the sports history and an even better person. He will be missed by the whole Triathlon community. Our thoughts and condolences are with Andrea Hewitt and the families.”
Triathlon Australia National Performance Director, Bernard Savage said “We are saddened and shocked by the loss of Laurent. He was not only a talented athlete and a very promising coach but a wonderful person. Our thoughts are with his family and with Andrea in particular.”
The entire Triathlon Australia board, staff, members and Australian Triathlon community wishes to pass on its deepest condolences to Andrea Hewitt, Vidal’s family and friends along with the French Triathlon Federation & Triathlon New Zealand.
Further information will be posted on the Triathlon New Zealand website (www.triathlon.kiwi) as it comes to hand, but in the meantime people are invited to post their condolences on the Triathlon New Zealand facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TriathlonNZ/?fref=ts) which will then be made available to Hewitt and the Vidal family.
Laurent Vidal Tribute (including his incredible sprint finish to win 2012 ITU Mooloolaba World Cup): www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPBKqQw2Bjc
ITU Statement: www.triathlon.org/news/article/triathlon_community_mourns_loss_of_laurent_vidal
European Triathlon Union Statement: http://etu.triathlon.org/news/article/sadness_hits_the_world_of_triathlon
Triathlon New Zealand Statement: https://triathlon.kiwi/tri-media/nz-triathlon-community-mourns-passing-of-laurent-vidal/
Laurent Vidal winning the 2012 ITU Mooloolaba World Cup triathlon. Image courtesy of Delly Carr Sportshoot/ITU
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