Twice world champion in snowboard cross, the Australian Alex Pullin died Wednesday at 32 years, apparently while fishing with the harpoon off the Australian east coast, indicated Australian Olympic officials.
Flag bearer of Australia at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Alex “Chumpy” Pullin’s body was found lifeless in the Gold Coast region of Queensland, local media reported .
“It’s an extremely sad day for all of us,” said Ian Chesterman, Australia’s chef de mission for the Vancouver (2010), Sochi (2014) and Pyeongchang (2018) Winter Olympics. Pullin participated.
“Chumpy was a champion, in addition to being a sports champion. He had a great charisma that allowed him to be a natural leader, ”he said.
“He was always willing to give his time to develop winter sports in this country, being so passionate about what he did. His enthusiasm was contagious and his impact on Olympic sport cannot be ignored. ”
Pullin won the world title in 2011 and 2013 in snowboard cross. At Pyeongchang-2018, he finished sixth, his best place in three Olympic games.
Australian winter Olympic sports chief Geoff Lipshut called him “a great pioneer in men’s snowboarding in Australia”.
In addition to his love for skiing, Pullin was passionate about spear fishing and diving. A few days ago, he posted a photo of him fishing on Instagram: “An unreal day in the ocean,” he wrote in caption. “The whales are singing and jumping around, being with great people, and bringing lots of fish for the week.”
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