Triathlon: Hewitt to compete in Rio

Andrea Hewitt at the elite athlete press conference for the Barfoot & Thompson World Triathlon Auckand held at the Cloud. 27 March 2015 New Zealand Herald Photograph by Jason Dorday NZH

Andrea Hewitt has confirmed she will continue through to next year's Rio Olympics, despite the recent tragic death of her fiancée and coach Laurent Vidal.

Vidal died of a suspected heart attack last month. An early problem in 2014 saw him retire from triathlon to coach, including Hewitt.

"Andrea has indicated a clear desire to continue on to Rio and to represent New Zealand on the Olympic stage for a third time," Triathlon New Zealand high performance director Graeme Maw said.

"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."

The Herald reported earlier this week that Chris Pilone, the man who mentored Hamish Carter to Olympic glory at Athens in 2004, is likely to become Hewitt's coach until the Rio Games. Pilone has had a successful career coaching elite athletes across the athletics, triathlon and boardsailing disciplines. Hewitt's former coach Dr John Hellemans is expected to assist in a background capacity.

Hewitt was the first New Zealand athlete selected for the 2016 Olympics.

She met the Olympic Committee criteria with three World Triathlon Series podium finishes, the first occurring in the 2014 grand final in Edmonton, followed by bronze medals in Auckland and Stockholm this year.

The 33-year-old backed up those results with fourth at the Chicago grand final and the overall world series silver medal, the fifth time in seven seasons she finished ranked in the world's top three.

Hewitt raced eight International Triathlon Union elite events this season. She secured two podium finishes but always finished inside the top eight. She did not finish the Olympic test event in Rio.

Hewitt's selection is conditional on New Zealand receiving a quota spot, which should be confirmed in May.

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 messages received over the past few weeks, messages that were heartfelt and warmly received by both Andrea and Laurent's 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."