Six-time Paralymic Games gold medalist Wenpan Huang of China unexpectedly died on March 16. Huang passed away after being in a car accident in Hongya County, China. The International Paralympic Committee provided a statement on his passing.
IPC Statement on Wenpan Huang:
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons has sent his condolences to the family, friends and teammates of Chinese Paralympic swimming champion Wenpan Huang who died on Friday (16 March).
Huang, a 22-year-old five-time gold medallist and one-time silver medallist from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, was killed in a car accident on Friday (16 March) in Hongya County, a country of Sichuan Province in China. He was an S3 class swimmer who picked up five golds and a bronze at last December’s World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico City.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “It is absolutely devastating news that one of the world’s best Para swimmers has been killed in a car accident. The thoughts of the whole Paralympic Movement are with his family, friends, and teammates.
“Wenpan was one of a new breed of exceptionally talented athletes with high support needs. At Rio 2016 he was one of the star performers picking up five gold medals and setting five world records along the way. He will be a sad loss to the whole World Para Swimming community.”
Many organizations have already given their condolences via social media:
We are extremely sorry to hear the news of the passing of China Paralympic swimmer Wenpan Huang. The five time gold medalist was sadly involved in a car accident yesterday. IPC president, Andrew Parsons, has issued a tribute following the tradegy. https://t.co/uTQ1uhMLBJ
— World Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) March 17, 2018
We are saddened to learn of the passing of 5x Paralympic swimming champion Wenpan Huang, one of the stars of Rio 2016.
The thoughts of all at ParalympicsGB are with his loved ones and our friends at NPC China.https://t.co/OYNrio6366
— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) March 17, 2018
Omg that’s awful God Bless him and his family