Sports posted Jan 18, 2024 @ 02:30pm by Corvin Vaski

Canadian world champion pole vaulter Shawn Barber dead at 29

World champion pole vaulter and Canadian record holder Shawn Barber has passed away at the age of 29.

A social media post by his agency confirmed his death on Thursday and reports from the Associated Press in the United States are saying the cause was due to medical complications.

<who> Photo Credit: Getty Images

Barber leaped into the world athletics spotlight in 2015 when he won gold at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto and the IAAF World Championships in China.

The gold-medal win at the world championships marked the first time a Canadian won gold outside of a sprint event.

The win also marked Canada’s fifth-ever world title in athletics, adding to Barber's already decorated resume.

<who> Photo Credit: Getty Images Barber won consecutive NCAA indoor championships in 2014 and 2015, adding on an outdoor championship in 2015.

The Ontario native placed third at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, the same year he recorded his personal best vault and Canadian record of six metres, a record that stands to this day.

Barber won five national championships between 2013-18, last competing in the 2020 season.

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. pic.twitter.com/Mn7DcVKgqy
— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) January 18, 2024