Tributes flow for Aussie javelin champion

THE sudden death of javelin champion Jarrod Bannister has shocked Australia’s athletics fraternity.

Bannister, 33, died overnight in The Netherlands, where he had been training and living. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Australia’s world champion hurdler Sally Pearson led trib- utes to Bannister: “A talented athlete with so much more to give. You will be missed.”

Olympic sprinter Melissa Breen said: “You were the best javelin thrower Australia has ever produced, but may this be a reminder that we are all more than results on a page.”

Athletics Australia chief executive Darren Gocher said the sport’s peak organisation was shocked to learn of Bannister’s death. “On behalf of Athletics Australia, I extend our deepest condolences to Jarrod’s family and friends and urge the athletics fraternity to support each other at this difficult time,” Gocher said.

Bannister won javelin gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and finished sixth in the final at the 2008 Olympic Games. His personal best of 89.02 metres, set in Brisbane in 2008, remains the current Australian record.

The Townsville-born Bannister was described as a typical Australian larrikin by hurdler Lauren Wells.

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