The New Zealand Para cycling team arrived in the Paralympic Village for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games last Friday following a training camp in Switzerland.
Prior to leaving, Cambridge-based and Tauranga-raised Para track cyclist Ben Westenberg was involved in a crash at the final team training session.
Since arriving in the Village, Ben has been monitored under concussion protocols, with support from NZ Paralympic Team medical staff.
While Ben has been recovering well, further tests this week have shown that he has not progressed to the stage where he would be able to compete safely when his events get underway on Friday.
Following discussions with Ben, it has been decided to withdraw him from competition and the NZ Paralympic Team will officially inform the UCI of his withdrawal.
Ben, 19, had been scheduled to compete on the track in the Men’s C4-5 1000m Time Trial and the Men’s C4 4000m Individual Pursuit.
NZ Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Raylene Bates said while this was a difficult situation, the priority is the health and safety of Ben.
“The medical team has worked really hard this week to aid Ben’s recovery – but unfortunately the decision had to be made to withdraw him from competition,” said Raylene. “Ben has been going really well and we are all hugely disappointed he won’t make his Paralympic debut at Paris 2024, but we are confident he will be back.”
