Shawn Barber, a previous Olympic pole vaulter and gold champion at the 2015 Globe Championships in Beijing, passed away on January 17, 2024, at his home in Kingwood, Texas at age29 According to the Associated Press. Shawn’s representative, Paul Doyle, verified the information the adhering to day, On January 18. No reason of fatality has actually been launched, however the wire service reported that the professional athlete had actually been experiencing undefined “health issues” and passed away from “medical complications.”
“More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself,” Paul claimed in a declaration. “It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age.”
In the middle of the information, below’s what to find out about the life of the exceptional young professional athlete.
Shawn Was Canadian
Shawn was birthed in 1994 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, however his dad was from Ontario, Canada. Maturing after his moms and dads’ separation, Shawn hung out in both Toronto and the united state In spite of finishing from secondary school in Houston, Texas, the professional athlete declared Toronto as his home town throughout affordable track and area occasions.
He likewise contended for Canada throughout his profession, stating it was since the nation positioned a lot more relevance on his picked sporting activity– and since his dad, George Barber, contended in the pole safe for Canada at the 1983 Globe Championships.
Shawn held twin Canadian-American citizenship, and he’s likewise endured by his mommy, Ann, and bro, David.
He Had an One-of-a-kind Name
Though in the media he was called just Shawn Barber, the skilled pole vaulter was really birthed Shawnacy Campbell Barber.
He Was a Champ in University
Shawn participated in College of Akron in Ohio, where he secured back-to-back NCAA interior champions in 2014 and 2015 for the pole safe. In 2015, he increased down on his success with an NCAA exterior champion, also. He would certainly make 2015 a banner year by arising victorious with the gold at the Pan-Am Gamings that summer season.
Shawn is a Canadian Document Owner
He attained his profession peak with a leading safe of 6 meters (19 feet, 8 1/4 inches) on January 15, 2016, in Reno, Nevada. The mark was a document, and it stays the Canadian document to this particular day. Shawnacy contended at the 2016 Summertime Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, and positioned 10th, in spite of negative weather.
Shawn Appeared in 2017
On April 24, 2017, Shawn required to Facebook to openly appear as gay in a since-removed article. “Gay and proud!” he composed through the social media sites system, per Outsports. “Thank you to my parents for being such a great support. I continue to grow as a person and have a great support group. My parents are my greatest support and have helped me through a lot recently. To my friends, you are always my friends and i love you too!”