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Shawn Barber Dead at 29: Canadian Olympic Pole Vaulter Will ‘Never Be Forgotten,’ Manager Says

Shawn Barber, who competed for Canada in pole vault at the Olympics, is dead at the age of 29. His manager confirmed the news and said it’s a ‘tragic’ loss.

“Barber had fallen ill and had been experiencing poor health for some time,” the University of Akron’s Athletics Department confirmed in a statement. “A well-liked teammate and competitor, Barber enjoyed a distinguished collegiate career that was highlighted by capturing a trio of NCAA pole vault titles as a member of the Akron Track and Field program from 2013-15.” The school went on to list more of Shawn’s accomplishments, including his win at the 2015 IAAF World Championship in China and his gold medal victory at the 2015 Pan American Games.

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