The New Zealand Olympic Committee together with Snow Sports NZ regrets to announce that freeski slopestyle athlete Jossi Wells has withdrawn from the New Zealand Olympic Winter Games team.
Jossi (27 years) tore his patella tendon in June 2017. He underwent a thorough return to snow (rehabilitation) programme in New Zealand pre-Christmas and was back on snow in late December.
Upon his return to snow it became apparent that Jossi’s knee was not ready for the loading required to compete and meet his high standards at Olympic level. Jossi made the decision to withdraw in conjunction with the Snow Sports NZ medical team.
Jossi would like to make the following statement:
“I’m devastated to have had to come to this decision. I gave this rehabilitation everything I had and unfortunately it has just come down to timing.
“I would like to thank Snow Sports NZ and the NZOC for their amazing support during this rehabilitation, it truly means the world to me to have such a great team in my corner. I would also like to thank the New Zealand public for their support over the years and I look forward to representing you all in the future.
“I wish the best to the rest of the team and I look forward to supporting each of the incredible athletes representing our great nation.”
The New Zealand Olympic Committee and Snow Sports NZ wish Jossi well with his recovery and thank him for his inspiring achievements to date.
