The news of death of  the 42-year-old high jump former world, African and South African champion, Jacques Freitag, has shattered the hearts of the entire Athletics Family. 

The lanky athlete ruled the world at the hype of his flourishing athletics career, winning the World Championships in Paris, France in 2003.

"At the time his family declared him missing after he was last seen alive on 17June, we remained confident he would return to his family unharmed," said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. "We are deeply saddened that his life ended the way it did from a gunshot and then found dumped in the veld near the Zandfontein cemetery in Tshwane. 

"We join in mourning his family, loved ones, former athletes, his former athletes and all friends. It's indeed a loss of a great legend and a rising coach."

His friend and former World Championships 800m silver medallist, Hezekiel  Sepeng, said: "Jacques was a super athlete. In the national team or any other competition, he was one to rely on to certainly bring a medal back home.

"He was dedicated to what he was doing and was one of a handful of athletes to dominate world titles from youth, juniors and seniors. His death is a real pity. I am saddened.,

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About Athletics South Africa:
Athletics South Africa (ASA) is the national governing body for the sport of athletics (including Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking) in South Africa, is a member of World Athletics  and the Confederation of African Athletics.  The association was formed in 1995 and is based in Johannesburg. 

ENDS