2004 Olympic silver medalist Stefan Henze, coach of the Germany canoe team at the 2016 Olympic Games, passed away in Rio de Janeiro following a vehicle accident he suffered Friday, the German Olympic committee announced on Monday.
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He and team official Christian Kaeding were heading to the athletes village when their taxi was in a wreck.
Stefan Henze, 35, a former world champion and 2004 Olympic silver medallist, died in hospital surrounded by close family members.
“We know that Stefan’s own Olympic thoughts live on in many people”, Henze’s family said in a statement.
Henze needed emergency surgery after Friday’s crash and doctors had described his condition as life-threatening.
IOC president Thomas Bach said the Olympic body “is mourning the loss of a true Olympian”.
“Today sports, for which the entire team came to Rio, moves into the background”, said team chief Michael Vesper.
The DOSB will hold a memorial service in the Olympic village on Tuesday and has asked the International Olympic Committee to fly the German flag at half-mast at all venues.
Stefan Henze, coach of Germany’s canoe team, watches heats at Rio’s Whitewater Stadium on August 7.
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Germany’s canoe slalom team posted a black and white image of Henze on its Twitter account. “Rest in peace, Stefan, you remain forever in our hearts”.
