Shawn Barber, Canadian World Champion Pole Vaulter, Dead At Age 29
Shawn Barber, Canadian World Champion Pole Vaulter, Dead At Age 29
Canadian pole vault record holder Shawn Barber, the 2015 world champion, has died from medical complications. He was 29.
![Shawn Barber, Canadian World Champion Pole Vaulter, Dead At Age 29](https://d2779tscntxxsw.cloudfront.net/65a98c8e5a343.png?width=1200&quality=80)
Canadian pole vault record holder Shawn Barber, the 2015 world champion, has died from medical complications. He was 29.
Barber died Wednesday at home in Kingwood, Texas, his agent, Paul Doyle, confirmed through Doyle Management Group social media.
No cause of death was announced but Barber had been dealing with health issues.
"More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself," Doyle told the Associated Press. "It's tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age."
Barber rose to prominence as a pole vaulter beginning with his time at the University of Akron, where he won NCAA Indoor titles in 2014 and 2015, and the NCAA Outdoor title in 2015.
Later in 2015, Barber won gold at the Pan-Am Games and then the World Championships in Beijing.
Barber, whose PR of 6.00m/19-8.25 from the Pole Vault Summit in 2016 remains the Canadian national record, made the final of the 2016 Rio Olympics but finished 10th.
He last competed in during the 2020 indoor season, registering a fourth-place finish in Cottbus at 5.50m/18-0.5.
Barber is survived by his mother, Ann; father, George; and brother, David.
Related Content
- Every 2024 Olympic Track And Field Qualifier By Country
Jul 26, 2024
- Trey Hardee Reflects On His Olympic Experiences
Jul 26, 2024
- Christian Miller Forgoes Collegiate Career With Georgia, Turns Pro
Jul 26, 2024
- These Are The Olympic Events You Need To Watch Featuring U.S. Women
Jul 25, 2024
- What Is The Olympic Track And Field Repechage Round? We've Got Answers.
Jul 23, 2024
- What Is The Repechage Round? The FloTrack Podcast Examines The New Format
Jul 23, 2024
- Quincy Wilson, London DL & Olympic Conversations l FloTrack Podcast (Ep. 672)
Jul 23, 2024
- Yohan Blake Opens Up On "Disrespect" He Feels From Jamaica After London Diamond League
Jul 22, 2024
- London Diamond League Recap: Noah Lyles And Keely Hodgkinson Star
Jul 21, 2024