World Champion Pole Vaulter Who Holds Canada's Record Dies At 29

Former world champion pole vaulter Shawn Barber of Canada has reportedly passed away. He was 29.

Barber's agent, Paul Doyle, confirmed to the Associated Press that the former athlete died in his home in Kingwood, Texas, on Wednesday.

"More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself," Doyle told AP Thursday.

"It's tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age."

While Shawn's cause of death remains unknown, he had been experiencing health issues before his demise.

The athlete's agent also took to Doyle Management's Instagram account to announce the sad news about Barber's death.

"A friend that will never be forgotten. Canadian Olympic Pole Vaulter Shawn Barber has passed away," he wrote.

"He is currently the Canadian record holder with his personal best of 6.00m and was the 2015 World Champion in the Pole Vault. Shawn was also an Olympic finalist at the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. He will be greatly missed," he added.

Netizens and Doyle Management's followers extended their condolences in the comments section.

"I'm absolutely shocked, Paul. He was such a lovely person. My sincere condolences [go] out to his family and friends," one user commented.

"Brilliant athlete. May he rest in peace," wrote another.

A third user said, "So incredibly sad. What an enormous loss.

Shawnacy Campbell Barber was a Canadian track and field athlete specializing in pole vaulting or pole jumping.

He was University of Akron's standout pole vaulter. He won back-to-back NCAA indoor championships in 2014 and 2015.

In 2015, he also took home the victory at the NCAA outdoor championships before bringing home the gold at the Pan-Am Games that summer.

He competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics and finished tenth.

Sports fans and different sports accounts on X, formerly Twitter, reacted to Shawn's death on the platform.

"Once a champion, always a champion. [Rest in peace]," tweeted one user.

"God bless his soul, another one gone too young," stated another.

"We are saddened to hear about the passing of former Akron track & field athlete Shawn Barber. Barber was a 3x NCAA Champion, World Champion and Olympian pole vaulter. Our thoughts and prayers are with Shawn's family, friends and the entire Akron Zips family," wrote MAC Sports.