Pole vaulter Shawn Barber — a 3x NCAA champion who additionally competed within the Olympics — died on Wednesday. He was solely 29 years previous.
Barber’s agent Paul Doyle made the devastating announcement earlier immediately on social media, calling Barber “a friend that will never be forgotten.”
The reason for demise is unknown however reports point out Barber was coping with well being points.
Barber, whereas on the College of Akron, gained back-to-back NCAA indoor championships in 2014 and 2015, and the 2015 outside championship. Shawn additionally positioned first within the 2015 World Championships in Beijing and the Pan American Video games that very same yr.
He additionally set the Canadian indoor document with a vault of 6 meters in 2016 … a document that also stands ’til at the present time.
Barber additionally within the 2016 Summer season Olympics in Rio de Janeiro … the place he positioned tenth in subpar climate situations.
As information of his passing unfold, followers and fellow opponents alike paid tribute to Barber, together with star Olympic hurdler Lolo Jones who’s heartbroken over the demise.
“The last time I saw him was years ago in Poland. We all hung out after the race,” Jones stated on IG.
“Praying for his family right now.”
R.I.P.
