Rohan Dennis, a former world champion cyclist, has entered a guilty plea regarding a car incident in Australia that resulted in the death of his wife, fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.
On 30 December 2023, Hoskins passed away in the hospital following an incident in which he was hit by a vehicle operated by Dennis near their residence in Adelaide.
A 34-year-old man faced initial charges of dangerous driving, causing death, and driving without due care. However, on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, specifically one aggravated count of creating the likelihood of harm.
Dennis, the father of two children with Hoskins, is set to receive his sentencing at a future date.
Limited information has emerged regarding the events surrounding Hoskins’s death.
Dennis has entered a guilty plea in a significant development, acknowledging that he operated a vehicle. At the same time, Hoskins was nearby, fully aware that his actions could result in harm or reckless disregard for the consequences.
The lawyer representing the retired athlete stated in court, “Mr Dennis had no intention of harming his wife, and this charge does not hold him responsible for her death.”
Hoskins, a 2015 world champion in the team pursuit and a two-time Olympian, has passed away, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the globe.
In 2018, she and Dennis exchanged vows in a wedding ceremony.
Dennis concluded his professional cycling career at the end of the 2023 season, having won stages at prestigious events such as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España.
A multiple world champion in both road and track cycling, he secured a bronze medal in the road time trial at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, following his silver medal in the team pursuit at the London 2012 Games. In 2022, he secured a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
