Olympic champ Pierre Quinon a suicide; promoted 2015 Lyon worlds

This news is old, but the shock is still fresh: Pierre Quinon of France, the 1984 Olympic pole vault champion, committed suicide in mid-August. Becca’s site had the scoop and reaction. It’s especially a surprise to me, since I heard Pierre speak at the Sacramento worlds General Assembly only a month earlier. He was 49 and hinted he might want to make a comeback at 2015 Lyon worlds, where he’d be jumping in his hometown. Wikipedia reported: “Quinon committed suicide on August 17, 2011, by jumping out of a window in the Mediterranean city of Hyères. He was 49 and had been suffering from depression. He had been running a rotisserie business from a truck prior to his death.” What a tragedy for sport and potentially masters track.

Pierre seemed in good spirits here and at Sacramento General Assembly.

Print Friendly

September 3, 2011

2 Responses

  1. Bubba Sparks - September 4, 2011

    It was so sad to read this. I know as we age we are all more susceptible to depression. We seem to share less and keep more inside. I pray for the tortured souls and remind myself to reach out to friends and family. Thank you all for being my extended family! I went through a very personal rough period in 2002 and the masters track community, led by my dear friend Phil Raschker, was the first to offer emotional support. I am forever grateful. Bubba

  2. JavierS-not - September 4, 2011

    Sad news indeed!

Leave a Reply