In a sombre second in Canadian sport, the information of the demise of Shawnacy “Shawn” Barber shocked the athletics world on Thursday. The 2015 world pole vault champion has left followers and athletes grieving and can be remembered as among the best vaulters on the planet and certainly one of Canada’s most revered athletes within the sport. He was 29.

Many athletes from world wide paid tribute to the previous world champion, remembering the mark he left on the game and the hearts of all who knew him.

Alysha Newman (Canadian Olympian and ladies’s pole vault document holder)

The Canadian ladies’s pole vault nationwide document holder and 2018 Commonwealth Video games champion wrote on Instagram: “Shawn, my teammate, my expensive good friend and confidant. I’m honoured to have been in the identical stroll of life as you. To many, Shawn is called one of many biggest male Pole Vaulters of all-time, however to me, Shawn modified the way in which I lived life. With Shawn round there was by no means a nasty day. With him, heaviness was lightened, tears became laughter and on each dangerous bounce day, he had two drinks in hand to assist cross defeat. These weren’t even the most effective components of Shawn. Shawn was so selfless. He would go above and past to verify everybody round him was good earlier than he was. He by no means missed a “thanks” or a gesture to point out folks how grateful he was for his or her assist,” 

Mondo Duplantis (world and Olympic pole vault champion)

Katie Nageotte (Olympic pole vault champion)

Nageotte shared on her Instagram story: “Whereas we weren’t shut in recent times, he performed a major half in my pole vault journey that helped me get the place I’m in the present day. You gained’t be forgotten Shawn.” 

Melissa Bishop-Nriagu (Canadian 800m document holder)

Paul Doyle (Barber’s agent)

“Extra than simply an unbelievable athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted one that all the time put others forward of himself. It’s tragic to lose such a superb individual at such a younger age,” wrote Doyle.

Thiago Braz (Brazilian pole vaulter and 2016 Olympic champion)

Barber’s profession was highlighted by a gold medal for Canada on the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, the place he soared to a peak of 5.90 metres. His accolades additionally embrace a gold medal on the 2015 Pan American Video games in Toronto and a bronze medal on the 2014 Commonwealth Video games in Glasgow. The final time Barber competed was in February 2020.

He’s survived by his mom, Ann; father, George; and brother, David.