Shawn Barber, a pole vault world champion who competed at the Olympics, has sadly died aged 29.
The 2015 world champion's death was announced by his Agent, Paul Doyle, who told the Associated Press that he passed away at his home in Kingwood, Texas, on Wednesday (January 17).
While the cause of death was not disclosed, the publication reported that Barber had been experiencing some health issues.
"More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself," Doyle shared. "It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age."
The late athlete was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and held dual Canadian-American citizenship. His father, George, was born in Ontario, Canada, and competed for Canada in the pole vault at the 1983 World Championships.
Barber was a student-athlete at the University of Akron, with numerous accomplishments to his name, including the 2014 and 2015 NCAA Indoor Pole Vault Champion.
He triumphed at the NCAA outdoor crown in 2015, before taking gold at the Pan American Games. The athlete carried a wave of momentum into worlds that season in Beijing, where he took gold over Germany’s Raphael Marcel Holzdeppe.
The sportsman achieved so much in his career such as giving Canada its first athletics world title in 12 years, and its first-ever world pole vault medal after succeeding in the pole vault world championship in 2015.
Furthermore, Barber was a finalist at the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. His best vault was six meters, which he obtained on January 15, 2016, in Reno, Nevada, and remains the Canadian record.
Barber's management agency confirmed the devastating news in an Instagram post shared on Thursday (January 18), which read: "A friend that will never be forgotten. Canadian Olympic Pole Vaulter Shawn Barber has passed away."
Athletics Canada, the national sport governing body for track and field, also honored the late star's accomplishment on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing: "Our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Shawn Barber, Canadian Pole Vaulter – 2015 World Champion, Rio 2016 Olympian and Canadian Record Holder."
World Athletics expressed their sadness on the social media platform, penning: "Keep flying, Shawn. World Athletics is deeply saddened by the passing of Shawn Barber, the 2015 world pole vault champion. Condolences go out to his family, friends, and fellow vaulters."
Barber is survived by his father, mother Ann, and brother, David.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans at this time.
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