Triathlete 'devastated' as he pulls out of race
Louis Dunne was aiming to secure a professional licence with a top-three finish, on the eighth anniversary of his dad Tim's death
- Published
A triathlete was left "devastated" after pulling out of a race on the anniversary of his dad's death.
Louis Dunne, 21, was competing in the Outlaw Triathlon at the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont, Nottinghamshire, on Sunday.
However, he suffered a flare up of a knee injury which forced him to pull out during the running leg of the race.
Mr Dunne had hoped to win a professional contract during the race, but the swim was cancelled on Friday due to an algal bloom.
The ironman-length race was held on 28 July, exactly eight years on from when his dad, Tim, died from a heart attack while cycling in Mallorca in Spain.
Mr Dunne, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, said his dad, a former triathlete himself, was a "massive reason" for him taking up the sport.
Tim Dunne was a popular triathlete in the Nottingham area
He said it was an "emotional day" when he took on a race he used to watch with his dad.
"Since his passing, I always wanted to do him proud within triathlon and compete in the races he did," he added.
An algal bloom meant the swim portion of the race had to be cancelled on the Friday.
As a result, Mr Dunne's hope to receive a professional contract by finishing in the top three, was already dashed.
However, the athlete said it made the decision for him to stop due to his injury easier.
"I have had a knee injury since March, and I was prepared to deal with the pain if it meant I could get a pro licence," he said.
"But knowing it was off the table meant I didn't want to wreck my knee and take myself out for the rest of the season.
"It's hard to look into the future now when you're so disappointed - everything lined up perfectly to have a special day, but I guess that's life.
"It's devastating not to finish."
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