Jeanne Collonge is facing the toughest battle of her life, and the triathlon community is rallying behind her with messages of support, virtual strength, and most of all, hope.

When an athlete in our community is involved in a horrific crash, it sends shockwaves through the sport. Our hearts sink, and we are overwhelmed with compassion.

Days after the harrowing crash during what was her final training ride before Ironman Kalmar, Collonge shared the following message on social media (translated from French):

First of all, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the countless messages of support that have touched me deeply. They have been an enormous help, and I have no doubt they will carry me through the months ahead.

On Tuesday morning, while doing my final bike tune-up before Ironman Kalmar on August 15, I crashed, although I have no memory of why or how it happened. I was riding along calmly, and then suddenly I found myself in the air. I have no memory of hitting the ground – only of flying, of my teeth crashing together, and then of finding myself lying there with people gathered around me. Of no longer being able to feel my body. Of being more afraid than, unfortunately, in pain.

Since then, I have been in intensive care in Saint-Étienne, paralyzed from my toes to the middle of my torso due to swelling in my spinal cord.

Last week, I was experiencing complete freedom, high in the mountains on my bike and in good company, following an extraordinary race at @alpetriathlon, fully aware of how fortunate I was. Near the end of the race, I said to the person filming me, “I don’t want this to end – I feel so good!” with a smile plastered across my face.

Today, everything came to a sudden and complete stop. My life is on pause while everything continues to rush by around me.

Despite everything, I am holding tightly to the “thread of Wonder,” the one that will help guide me out of the darkest of labyrinths.

I will fight with everything I have in the race of my life!

Once again, an enormous thank you for your support. What it means to me is indescribable!!!

Collonge’s season seemed to be just beginning, with back-to-back podiums, before the crash left her with a spinal cord injury. News of the crash began circulating late last week, when close friends shared the seriousness of her condition.

A former French Long Distance Triathlon champion, mom to Louise, daughter and friend, Collonge has been in the sport since the age of 18. She is described as a person of tremendous passion, resilience and perseverance, words that perfectly define Jeanne and qualities she will draw upon throughout her recovery.

Our thoughts are with Collonge and her loved ones, holding onto hope as her recovery progresses.