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Australia’s wheelchair tennis men’s quad representative Heath Davidson has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Paris Paralympics due to an illness in his family.
The Rio 2016 doubles gold medallist with Dylan Alcott has not travelled to France for the Games. Davidson’s mother has been admitted to palliative care and the Australian team veteran said he wanted to stay home with her.
Davidson, 37, who hails from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, competed in both singles and doubles in Brazil eight years ago and again in Tokyo three years ago. He backed up his doubles gold with a silver medal in Japan.
“I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2024 Paralympics,” Davidson said in a social media post.
“My Mum has been admitted to palliative care, and I want to be here at home with her during this time.
“I wish Ben and Andy, and the rest of the Australian Paralympic Team the best of luck representing the Green and Gold!”
Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin said: “Heath is a much-loved member of the Australian Paralympic Team. He adds spark to the Village with his quick wit and cheery personality.
“We’ll miss having him here in Paris, but we all understand that family comes first and we know he’s made the right decision for himself and his family.
“We want Heath to know that every member of the team is wrapping their arms around him virtually from Paris.”
Australia will be represented in wheelchair tennis by six-time Paralympian Ben Weekes and debutant Anderson Parker.
Weekes and Parker will be competing in the men’s open event.
By: Scott Spits, Paralympics Australia
Published: 26 August 2024
