Deon Lendore: Tragedy as Olympic Medallist Dies in Car Crash

Deon Lendore: Tragedy as Olympic Medallist Dies in Car Crash

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
  • Deon Lendore was a celebrated Trinidad & Tobago athlete, with the country's Olympic Committee penning a glowing tribute for him
  • The greatest highlight of his career was when he won a bronze medal during the London 2012 Olympics with Trinidad and Tobago's 4×400m relay team
  • Until his death, the 29-year-old was a student at Texas A&M University

Deon Lendore, an Olympic medallist and three-time Olympian has tragically died aged just 29.

Trinidad and Tobago's Deon Lendore competes in the men's 4x400m relay heats during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
Until his death, the 29-year-old was a student at Texas A&M University. Photo by JEWEL SAMAD.
Source: Getty Images

Deon met his death after he was involved in a car crash in Texas where he trains.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Trinidad and Tobago's Olympic Committee who paid a glowing tribute to the late sprinter.

"Words cannot adequately express our sadness at the devastating and untimely loss of three-time Olympian and Olympic and World Championships bronze medallist Deon Lendore, who has been an inspiration and motivation to us all both on and off the track," the committee mourned in a statement.
“We express our deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, team-mates, coaches, Abilene Club, Community of Arima, and all who he would have touched," the tribute continued.

The 29-year-old shot to prominence during the 2012 London Olympics when he won bronze as part of Trinidad and Tobago's 4×400m relay team.

He would later go solo as he competed in the individual 400m at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the Tokyo edition in 2020.

The Sun reports until his death he was a student at Texas A&M University.

His death has prompted tributes from fans and athletes, with Jamaican runner Natoya Goule taking to Instagram to mourn him.

Kenyan footballer amputated

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Kenyan teenage footballer Wisdom Naya has had his left leg amputated in India following a cancer diagnosis.

Naya was diagnosed with Sarcoma, a rare group of cancers which arise in the bones and tissues in 2021.

However, despite starting his chemotherapy sessions in time, his condition is understood to have worsened, forcing the family to airlift him to India for further treatment.

The budding footballer was subsequently flown to India in December where he has been receiving treatment.

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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.
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