Shawn Barber, 29, an ‘out’, Canadian champion pole vaulter, died from ‘medical complications’ on Wednesday, January 17 at home in Kingwood, Texas. The cause of his death is not known yet, but he had been experiencing health issues.
“More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself,” Barber’s manager Paul Doyle said. “It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age.”
Barber bravely came out in 2017, just two years after he won gold at the 2015 World Championships and one year after he finished 10th at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.
“Gay and proud,” Barber posted on Facebook at the time. “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!”
Barber attended the University of Akron, where he was a star pole vaulter, winning back-to-back NCAA indoor championships in 2014 and 2015. He also took home the gold at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing and the Pan-Am Games later that same year.
Barber remains the Canadian record holder for pole vaulting. His 2015 outdoor personal jump of 5.93 metres is the current national record, and his 2016 indoor personal jump of 6.00 metres remains the Canadian Indoor Record.
On Thursday, Doyle posted a carousel of photos of Barber on Instagram, writing, “A friend that will never be forgotten.”
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