Alex Pullin, Australian Olympic snowboarder, drowns while spearfishing
Alex Pullin, the Australian snowboarder who was his country’s flag-bearer at the 2014 Olympics, died by drowning while spearfishing Wednesday. He was 32.
Pullin, an avid spearfisher, was diving in waters off Gold Coast, south of Brisbane, the BBC reported. A snorkeler had spotted Pullin unconscious near an artificial reef.
Bystanders pulled Pullin to shore, but paramedics could not revive him, according to the BBC. Police said Pullin was by himself and was free-diving without an oxygen mask.
Pullin, nicknamed “Chumpy,” competed at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics. He won World Championships in 2011 and 2013 in snowboard cross.
“Our deepest condolences are with Alex’s family, as well as his teammates and support staff,” Snow Australia, the country’s snowboarding governing body, said in an Instagram post. “Alex was a beloved member of the Snow Australia community and he will be dearly missed.”
Pullin had retired from snowboarding but did not officially announce it, Reuters reported.
“An incredible athlete, beloved teammate and role model, you will be sorely missed,” the Australian Olympic team wrote on Twitter, part of an outpouring of love for Pullin.
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