2023-09-22 04:21:00
Pierre Close, a 48-year-old doctor from Liège, died on Thursday from his injuries caused by a fall during the last Embrunman, one of the most difficult long distances of the triple effort organized in the world, traditionally every August 15, around Embrun , in the Hautes Alpes.
The father of the family, president of his ‘Triathlège’ club, head doctor of unit at the CHC of Mont Légia, specialist in physical medicine, had fallen while cycling. Transported to Grenoble hospital, he had since been in a coma following serious head trauma. The accident occurred at the start of the cycling route of more than 188 km, with more than 5,000 m of altitude difference and several passes to cross.
The coach and doctor from Liège, originally from Anthisnes, was not his first attempt at the legendary distance of the Ironman. Already in 2004, he took part in the Holy Grail of triathlon, the Hawaii final, finishing in 9h26, before participating once more in 2019. During the last Ironman Euro, on July 2 in Frankfurt, Close rode on the 3rd step of the podium in its 45-49 year old category.
A tribute will be paid to him in particular on the occasion of the next half-marathon in the Province of Liège, on October 15, the organizers announced.
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