Coach Stefan Henze Is Dead

 

German canoe slalom coach has died after sustaining head injuries last week in a car crash in Rio de Janeiro, the country's Olympic team has confirmed. Stefan Henze, who was 35 and won a silver medal in canoe slalom at the 2004 Athens Games, died surrounded by his family, the team said.

Henze had been in a Rio hospital since undergoing emergency surgery following the taxi accident on Friday. Germany team leader Michael Vesper said “Today the sport which the whole team came to Rio for recedes into the background, our thoughts are with Stefan's loved ones, who had the opportunity to say goodbye here.

Sports scientist Christian Kaeding was in the taxi with Henze but suffered only slight injuries. Germany will commemorate Henze's death in the Olympic Village on Tuesday and the country's flag will be flown at half-mast at all Olympic sites in Rio.

President of the IOC Thomas Bach said “The IOC is mourning the loss of a true Olympian. Our sympathy is with the family of Stefan Henze, his friends and all of the German Olympic team.”