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Welch's life-threatening malady Wife Sian hangs up the cleats too Is there an athletic lifestyle in Welch's future? Scott Tinley on Welch's Retirement |
 Greg Welch Retires from Competitive Triathlon
January 12, San Diego, California, USA (www.triathlonlive.com) During a press conference that alternated between tearful and jovial, one of triathlon's best loved personalities retired from competition. Citing a newly diagnosed life-threatening condition, Ventricular Tachycardia, Welch alternated between relief that he caught the problem before it killed him, and sorrow that he leaves that sport that he said, "...has been my whole life." Welch first felt the symptoms two miles into the '99 Hawaiian Ironman swim. He thought he was having an asthma attack, and stopped dead in the water for about five minutes. After leaving the swim he thought about quitting, but the instinctive drive of a champion athlete--and the embarrassment of dropping out--kept him going. He had roughly a dozen separate attacks during the ride as well. Welch describe feeling, "...lightheaded, it's hard to see, I was short of breath, it's a horrible feeling," Welch finished the bike ride and, ignoring extreme discomfort, started the marathon. He had three more attacks during the run, but still finished in eleventh position. Against the backdrop of the somber occasion of his retirement, Welch joked with members of the press and the audience. Asked by San Diego Union Tribune journalist Don Norcross what he intended to do now, Welch answered, "I thought I'd inquire about a job as a sportswriter for the Union Trib." He took as well as he gave. When describing the kindness of Scott Tinley during Welch's first months in San Diego a decade ago, Welch said that ,"Scott Tinley gave me his heart." Tinley, from the audience, quipped, "That's why it's busted." The press conference was carried live on the internet by ActiveUSA, and Welch fielded questions from online viewers as well. Indicative of the friendships Welch has nurtured around the world, well-wishes came in from sponsors, media, and fellow athletes. Publisher of US Triathlete Magazine John Duke, Mrs. T's Pierogies president Tim Twardzik, and fellow Ironman competitor Jurgen Zack--staying up late in Germany--all wrote in from their computers. Nobody asked--out of reverence and respect for the person of Greg Welch--a question germaine only because of the times in which we now live: Could performance enhancing drugs have been a proximate cause for Welch's problems? Speaking after the press conference, Welch's cardiologist, Dr. Emily Scott from Mercy Hospital in San Diego, said that there is no way a blood-boosting drug such as EPO could have caused the problem, there is no mechanism for that to happen. Welch said he intends to do some volunteer work, help his teammates in Australia to top finishes in the Olympics (he may live in America, but he's still an Aussie at heart), and he intends to pursue work in journalism, hopefully at the Games themselves. One of his top priorities, he said, was to help his wife, pro triathlete Sian Welch, be the best athlete she can be. ------ Retirement: Now Sian Welch says good-bye 2000 Races:
1999 Races:
1998 Races:
------ ------ January 12, San Diego, California, USA (www.triathlonlive.com)
In Welch's particular case, this is not simply an exercise-induced problem, but stress-induced. Lack of sleep, worry, the ingestion of stimulants, even coffee, can trigger an attack which, in Welch's case, causes his heart to beat at 300 beats-per-minute for a period of several minutes. "Someone with a less well trained heart would have passed out and probably died," said his physician, Dr. Emily Scott of Mercy Hospital in San Diego. "His heart beats so fast that its unable to pump the blood sufficiently." Ventricular Tachycardia is an abnormal heart rhythm in which the heart beats in a very fast and uncoordinated pattern. There are multiple causes of ventricular tachycardia, the most common being coronary artery disease. Other causes include structural heart disease whether acquired or congenital. There are also cases which have no apparent stuctural disease or apparent cause. So far, the latter is the case with Welch. Welch described a terrifying incident that occured around Christmas. "A couple of weeks ago I was doing some Christmas shopping with my wife Sian in the mall, and I felt one coming on just walking. It scares me to no end to know that I could just roll over and something could happen , God forbid. And I don't want that to happen." The mechanism of the tachycardia can be different. However the end result is that the heart beats too fast for normal pump function to occur. This results in a drop in blood pressure, loss of conscientiousness, and death if the tachydardia is not treated in a timely fashion. Treatment is difficult as many of the medications used to control the arrhythmia may cause abnormal rhythms themselves. Another option is a defibrillator which involves the implantation of a pacemaker-like device with electrodes that detect the arrythmia and terminate it with a countershock. During the press conference Welch joked with the crowd about suffering from, "Ventricular Tachycardia... and Hemachromatosis... and Asthma..." and Competitor Magazine publisher Bob Babbitt piped in, "And hemorrhoids." Welch laughingly acknowledged the latter, as he had to have painful surgery just prior to an Ironman race several years ago. Welch's Hemachromatosis has required him for the past three years to blood-let in order to keep his iron levels down. A heart biopsy revealed no iron buildup, and so proved that Welch's tachycardia was not brought on by Hemachromatosis. But the latter is a concern for Welch as well. Left unchecked iron can build up in his other organs and can cause serious health problems later in life. RELATED STORY: Mayo Clinic article on Cardiac Ablation ------ January 12, San Diego, California, USA (www.triathlonlive.com) After the press conference the cardiologist who accompanied Welch, Dr. Emily Scott, from Mercy Hospital in San Diego, was asked a variety of questions regarding his condition. There is not only treatment available for ventricular tachycardia, but some hope for a cure, according to Dr. Scott. Welch has had chest X-rays, MRI's, angiograms, echocardiograms, a heart biopsy, and a battery of other tests over the last several weeks. None have turned up the cause, or the location in the heart where Welch's condition is centered (except for the fact that his tachycardia affects the right ventricle). One of the tests he underwent is called an electro physiological study (EPS), and was inconclusive. But Welch intends to have the test performed again, and the point of the test is to locate precisely where the part of the heart is which sends out the electrical impulses which cause his tachycardia. Upon successful location a catheter is inserted into the heart, through which the offending area is cauterized, in effect killing that area. Theoretically, then, Welch would not suffer attacks of tachycardia any longer. There is no certainty that the troublesome part of Welch's heart can be located, and at least in the short term, some of his doctors have indicated a preference for a pacemaker-like device, about the size of a silver dollar, which will keep Welch's heart beating regularly. Even if Welch was able to undergo a successful cauterization, or "ablation," of the offending area, returning to competition is the furthest thing from Welch's mind. Close friends of Welch have heard for years about Welch's best friend Richie Walker, the person who introduced him to triathlon, and who died of a heart attack just days after his 21st birthday. But according to those close to him Welch is desirous of returning to a casually athletic lifestyle, and there might be hope for that. ------ I am retiring from the sport of triathlon because of heart problems. This was easy decision to make because I really had no choice -- the doctors told me that I can no longer exercise at a competitive level. Dr. [Emily] Scott picutred below] will give you the medical details. I want to tell you a little about what has happened over the last 3 months. On October 23rd 1999 I lined up for the Ironman with one thing in mind, TO WIN IRONMAN, and then to go on to represent Australia at the Olympics and retire peacefully at the top of the sport.
I was as stunned as a mullet and my reaction to this was to pull-out and seek medical attention. But my desire to race and succeed prevailed and I put me cap and goggles back on and off I went. During the bike ride I suffered another 10-15 episodes of elevated heart rate that forced me I to just pedaling and coast until my heart rate slowed. The only pleasant thing about the bike that day was that I had the chance to ride by the lead women and see my wife Sian in action. The run was clear sailing as I only had three episodes. At the end of the race I went to the medical tent and requested an EKG that the medical personnel said looked normal. I lined up in Maui for Xterra the next week and the problem showed its ugly head again. After this race I was so afraid to even go on a run that I did no training until I could see my long-time friend and cardiologist, Dr. Ian Mackie in Cronulla, Australia. Again, all test results were negative, and I returned to the U.S. to resume training for the Olympics. When I resumed training, I continued to suffer additional episodes. Finally, on Thanksgiving Day I participated in the ride-n-tie and suffered four episodes during this, what is normally a fun race. At this point, in the pit of my stomach I knew something was seriously wrong. My wife and I agreed that I had to stop all training immediately and find out what was happening to me. On November 28 I spoke with Dr. Ken Carr who examined me and suggested that I undergo a thallium treadmill test. On December 7th , as I was taking this test, I started to feel lousy, then went into what I now know to be ventricular tachycardia (v-tach). I was admitted to UCLA medical hospital where I remained for 5 days and had a heart biopsy, several chest x-rays, MRI's and EKG's and was finally released on December 10th. On December 14th I was admitted to Cedars Sinai Hospital where Dr. Eli Gang performed an EPS, an electro physiological study. I was released that day and placed on medication. On December 23rd I did another treadmill to see if the medication was working and went into v-tach again. On December 30th I had an Angiogram and released that day. Bottom line is that the doctors advise me that I'm done as a competitive athlete or I may be dead. I started in this sport in 1984 because my friend, Richie Walker, asked me to come watch compete in a triathlon. After that I was hooked. Richie Walker passed away in 1986 at 21 years and three days old. Six months before he died he suffered a cardiac arrest and was hospitalized for some time. He then had a pacemaker inserted and continued the sport slowly. Four days before he died, it was his 21st birthday and I wanted to do something special for him. I said to him, "Richie what can I do for you for your birthday?" He said " I just want you to take me to the track and teach me how to run better." Four days later he died doing what he loved. Richard died of heart complications. I started the sport because of Richard. Now, I have a life-threatening problem. Having lost my best friend at such a young age bothers me to no end. I have no choice other than to step aside while I can. Although I have not realized my Olympic goal, my involvement in triathlon has been a dream come true -- a fairy tale -- and I leave it with pride. ------ January 12, Del Mar, California, USA (www.triathlonlive.com) I'm sitting here waiting to go watch Greg Welch officially announce his retirement from the sport of triathlon. And all I read and hear about it is "What a shame!". Am I the only one who is happy for Greg? First of all he is alive and healthy enough to lead a productive, fulfilling life. We could have just as easily be going to his funeral, all saying the same thing, "What a shame". Second, I surmise that those who mourn for Greg are actually wallowing in their own denial of the aging process. Of course, we will miss his humourous antics, his thrilling run speed and his constant upbeat attitude. But guess what folks?, Life goes on after sport and Greg will succeed at whatever venue he decideds to dwell in. Maybe he will slow down a bit but I doubt that he will morph into any different being that his impish, loveable Welchy-self. I celebrate his incredible career, appreciate his courage and strength in this, his most difficult race and welcome him into the lineup at my local surfspot. Life deals us all difficult and semmingly unfair hands at times. It is what we do with them that counts......not what the cards show. Be happy for the guy. He is a warrior returning from battle in one piece. We should all be so lucky to have visited such rare heights as he. Let Greg take his wisdom and spread it to those who walk around on the edge like he did for so long. In fact, call him after 10 pm any evening. Here's his phone number......................ST ----- Greg Welch's Sudden, Sad Retirement (www.triathlonlive.com) Australia's Greg Welch -- one of triathlon's liveliest personalities, known for his wide smile and quick jokes -- is being forced to leave the sport for medical reasons. GREG WELCH'S LAST THREE SEASONS: Here are his results since 1997: 1999 Races: 11. Ironman - Hawaii (23 Oct 1999) 12. ITU World Championship (12 Sep 1999) 1. Mrs T's Chicago Triathlon (29 Aug 1999) 2. Koblenz Supersprint (22 Aug 1999) 10. ITU World Cup - Tiszaujvaros ( 8 Aug 1999) 1. ITU World Cup - Kona (26 Jun 1999) 2. USTS - Oceanside/ITU Points Race (13 Jun 1999) 2. Escape From Alcatraz ( 5 Jun 1999) 3. Mooloolaba Triathlon ( 9 May 1999) 7. ITU World Cup - Sydney ( 2 May 1999) 10. ITU World Cup - Gamagori (18 Apr 1999) 1. ITU World Cup - Ishigaki (11 Apr 1999) 2. Abu Dhabi International Triathlon (19 Mar 1999) 1. Triathlon Internacional de Santos (28 Feb 1999) 1. Triathlon Mar del Plata (20 Feb 1999) 1998 Races: DNF. Goodwill Games Triathlon (25 Jul 1998) 26. ITU World Cup - Gamagori (12 Jul 1998) 14. USTS - Oceanside/ITU Points Race ( 7 Jun 1998) 2. Escape From Alcatraz (31 May 1998) 1. ITU World Cup - Sydney (26 Apr 1998) 1. ITU World Cup - Ishigaki (12 Apr 1998) 2. St. George Formula 1 - Race 5 (29 Mar 1998) 2. St. George Formula 1 - Race 3 (15 Mar 1998) 5. St. George Formula 1 - Race 2 (15 Feb 1998) 5. St. George Formula 1 - Race 1 ( 1 Feb 1998) 1997 Races: 1. Laguna Phuket Triathlon ( 6 Dec 1997) 6. ITU World Championship (16 Nov 1997) 2. ITU World Cup - Sydney (26 Oct 1997) 1. World Nature Games Triathlon (28 Sep 1997) 2. ITU World Cup - Hamilton (21 Sep 1997) 5. ITU World Cup - Stockholm (26 Jul 1997) 1. Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon ( 1 Jun 1997) 2. Wildflower Triathlon ( 3 May 1997) 1. St. George Bank Grand Prix #4 ( 8 Mar 1997) 2. St. George Bank Grand Prix #3 (15 Feb 1997) 1. St. George Bank Grand Prix #2 ( 2 Feb 1997) 8. St. George Bank Grand Prix #1 (11 Jan 1997) ------ 1-21-00 From Sian Welch : I felt I needed to write. It has touched my heart seeing how many people have opened their hearts to both Greg and I. So many people have asked how I am holding up. Thank you so much for your concern. I wanted to let you know that I am doing fine.
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Many people expected Welch to blame the need for his sudden retirement on his three-year battle with Hemachromatosis. But it was the far more serious Ventricular Tachycardia which has not only forced the loveable Aussie from the race course, but also threatens his life.
About 22 minutes into the Ironman swim I felt weak, lightheaded, and very short of breath. I was lying in third position, just as I planned and things were looking very good. Then, whammo, it happened -- my heart rate went through the roof. I didn't know what was happening other than I was in a deep ocean and experiencing something that I'd never experienced before. I pulled to the side of the course where the lead outrigger paddler asked if I was O.K. I replied "NO, I'm not!," and a lifeguard came to my aid as I struggled to breathe. After two agonizing minutes my heart rate slowed to normal beat.
