The four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has returned to the public eye at a prestigious charity event in Zurich, marking his initial appearance since a devastating cycling accident in August left him fighting for his life.
The 40-year-old British cyclist attended the Pho3nix Foundation Sport With Purpose Charity Gala 2025, where he joined a distinguished panel featuring Olympic legend Usain Bolt, heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua and Mika Haikonnen.
Dressed elegantly in a tuxedo, Froome appeared in good spirits despite the severity of his recent ordeal, which required emergency surgery and extensive hospitalisation following a training ride crash in southern France.
The severity of Froome's injuries became apparent when he was airlifted to a hospital in Toulon following the crash near Saint-Raphael.
Chris Froome was airlifted to hospital with severe injuries | PAMedical examinations revealed he had sustained a collapsed lung, four fractured ribs according to one report, though another indicated five broken ribs.
His injuries extended to a fractured vertebra in his back. Most concerning was the discovery of a pericardial rupture - a tear in the protective sac surrounding the heart - which posed a significant threat to his life.
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The cycling champion underwent emergency surgery to address these multiple traumas. He remained hospitalised until 5 September, when he shared an image showing visible cuts and scars as he left the medical facility.
Speaking before the ceremony, Froome revealed his determination to attend had driven his recovery efforts.
Chris Froome has made his first public appearance since suffering a near-fatal crash
|"I think this was a motivation for me to try and push in terms of the rehab and getting out of hospital in time to be ready for this event because it sounds like it's going to be an amazing evening," he said.
The evening saw Froome socialising with sporting royalty, capturing photographs with eight-time Olympic gold medallist Bolt and taking a selfie with Joshua. His upbeat demeanour suggested a remarkable recovery trajectory.
Upon leaving hospital, Froome had posted on social media: "Relieved to be heading home from the hospital today.
"Thanks to the staff at the HIA Sainte Anne."
The image showed him departing whilst holding hands with his seven-year-old daughter Katie.
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Chris Froome attended the gala event alongside superstars like Anthony Joshua and Usain Bolt
|The Kenyan-born cyclist has accumulated seven Grand Tour victories throughout his distinguished career, alongside two Olympic bronze medals in road time trials.
His Tour de France triumphs came in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, whilst racing for Team Sky.
His most recent major victory was the 2018 Giro d'Italia, his sole triumph in that competition.
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A severe femur fracture during the 2019 Tour de France marked a turning point, sidelining him for eight months.
Currently competing for Israel-Premier Tech, Froome faces an uncertain future with his contract expiring this year.
When questioned by bici.PRO about his plans, he responded: "My contract is expiring and I don't know if I'll continue or not."