Pole vault world champion, Shawn Barber, is dead at the age of 29. According to a statement from his agent, Paul Doyle, to the Associated Press, the athlete died in his home in Kingwood, Texas, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. As of now, his cause of death has not been revealed. The news outlet also shared that Shawn had reported experiencing some health issues. Doyle Management, his management agency, confirmed his death via an Instagram post that was shared on January 18, 2024.
"A friend that will never be forgotten. Canadian Olympic Pole Vaulter Shawn Barber has passed away. ️," the post read. "He is currently the Canadian record holder with his personal best of 6.00m and was the 2015 World Champion in the Pole Vault. Shawn was also an Olympic finalist at the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. He will be greatly missed."
Shawn was a student-athlete at the University of Akron, holding multiple titles to his name, including 2014 and 2015 NCAA Indoor Pole Vault Champion and 2015 NCAA Outdoor Pole Vault Champion. In 2015, the 29-year-old became a Pan American Games Gold Medalist and was a finalist at the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. His best vault was 6 meters, obtained on January 15, 2016, and remains the Canadian record.
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Fans in the comments expressed their condolences.
One person commented: "Brilliant athlete. May he rest in peace."
"@doylemanagement I’m absolutely shocked Paul," another person wrote. "He was such a lovely person. My sincere condolences goes out to his family and friends ."
