Ben Gregory: Great Britain and Wales decathlete 'in coma' after bike crash

Ben Gregory won the men's decathlon 1500 metres at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, finishing seventh overall

Decathlete Ben Gregory is in a critical condition after being involved in a serious bike crash over the weekend.

The 31-year-old's partner, Naomi Heffernan, said on social media: "Ben... has a fractured skull, neck and multiple haemorrhages to his brain. He's in a coma and on life support."

Gregory has represented Great Britain, is a multiple Welsh champion and competed at three Commonwealth Games.

In October 2020 Gregory escaped serious injury in another bike crash.

His bike was involved in a collision with a car in London and at the time he credited wearing a helmet as the reason he was able to walk away from the incident.

Welsh Athletics issued a statement saying: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Ben's friends and family at this time.

"Ben's accomplishments as an athlete speak for themselves: Wales' greatest ever decathlete - three Commonwealth Games, the Welsh record holder and representing Wales and Great Britain multiple times.

"The outpouring of support across social media is testament to his popularity as a person and as an athlete. Everyone who has had the privilege of training or competing alongside Ben will speak of his incredible love of life, his kindness, support and loyalty.

"We will all continue to pray for a full recovery for Ben."

Gregory, who outside athletics works as a model and personal trainer, was a promising youth rugby union player who was on the books at the London Wasps Academy before studying at Loughborough University, but ultimately opted for a sporting career in athletics.

The chief executive of Welsh Athletics, James Williams, added his own personal tribute and well wishes.

"I found out last night via social media, like most of us did and utter shock and concern first of all for Ben and obviously considering his family and friends and hoping the next 24-48 hours bring some form of positive news for us all," Williams said.

"He is the type of person you always want on your team and every time he's part of a team he ends up being team captain and there is a reason behind that. He's this larger-than-life character that everyone gravitates to.

"I think back to previous Commonwealth Games when he's literally had the whole stadium cheering for him, been the last person on the pole vault or winning the 400 or 1500m at the end of each day. That's my memories of Ben and what most people would consider the type of person he is.

"Decathletes are these individuals who just turn themselves towards anything. To be able to be as successful as you are at 10 events, let alone one, just speaks to the type of person he is."