World champ pole vaulter Shawn Barber dies at 29
agent confirmed to the Associated Press. “More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself,” said his agent, Paul Doyle. “It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age.”Subscribe to our daily newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.Indeed.
Barber catapulted himself into athletic stardom at the University of Akron, where he won back-to-back NCAA indoor championships in 2014 and 2015.
He also captured the NCAA outdoor championship in 2015. That summer, Barber took home gold at the Pan-Am Games. The Canadian followed up his incredible performance with a world championship that year as well.
Riding all of that momentum, Barber competed in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics for Team Canada, finishing 10th. Doyle paid his respects on social media. “A friend that will never be forgotten,” he wrote.A post shared by Doyle Management Group (@doylemanagement)Barber, who became only the 21st person in history to vault 6 meters, is the Canadian record holder.
