Huge winner
Barber, who held dual citizenship of the United States and Canada, won silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast after winning bronze in Glasgow in 2014.
With a distance of 5.50 m, Barber took tenth place at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Cause of death not disclosed
Shawn Barber’s cause of death was not disclosed.
However, it is known that the young athlete struggled with health problems.
The 29-year-old died at home.
Tributes are pouring in online
Fans of Shawn are sharing their reactions to his death on social media.
“One of the best pole vaulters in the world, Shawn Barber, passed away today!” one person wrote in Polish. “We had the opportunity to host him on Polish soil many times and he showed his heart many times with incredible happiness.
“He was only 29 years old!
“World champion 2015, six meters tall!”
Shawn Barber’s Awards
Shawn Barber won two Commonwealth medals – a silver medal at Gold Coast 2018 and a bronze medal at Glasgow 2016.
He became Pawn American Champion in 2015 Athletics weekly.
Barber also competed in three World Championships in Moscow (2013), Beijing (2015) and London (2017).
Big record holder
He holds the men’s pole vault record for Canada at six meters, which he set in January 2016.
With a score of 5.90, Barber won the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China.
In 2015, he won the second of his two consecutive NCAA outdoor titles while competing for the University of Akron.
This year Barber also won one of his five Canadian titles.
More impressive stats from Shawn
A year after his victory in Beijinh, he reached the finals of the pole vault competition at the 2016 Rio Olympics, won by Brazilian Thiago Braz.
Shawn’s best jump distance was six meters (19 feet, 8 ¼ inches) on January 15, 2016 in Reno. Nevada.
His mark remains the Canadian record.
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