Sun Yang pays tribute to Kenneth To after shock death at 26 – ‘may there be no pain in heaven’
- Chinese swimming superstar writes moving message after former teammate dies
- Swimming’s world governing body Fina expresses its ‘immense sadness’
To felt unwell in the locker room after a practice session in Florida, where he had been on a three-month training programme with the Gator Swim Club of the University of Florida. He was taken to hospital where he later died on Monday night.
“Your love and passion for swimming will always be in our hearts, thank you for everything you’ve given to swimming,” Sun posted on his Weibo account.
“May there be no pain in heaven … RIP.”
The 26-year-old To broke 17 Hong Kong records after switching his nationality from Australia to the country of his birth in 2016. He was a world championships silver medallist in 2013 and a Youth Olympics gold medallist.
Olympic swimming champion Sun teamed up with To at the 2017 China National Games in Tianjin where they won silver in a joint relay team for the 4x100 metres. It was Hong Kong’s first swimming medal at the competition since they made their debut in 1997 after the handover.
Sun revealed he also caught up with To in December last year, in a post accompanied by a picture of the two and others.
“The good buddy that joined us in the 4x100 metre relay at the 2017 National Games in Tianjin … we gathered for meals and chatted during the World Short Course Championships in Hangzhou in December,” Sun wrote.
World governing body Fina expressed its “immense sadness” over To’s death in a statement on Tuesday.
“Training in Florida, To had set a priority for the months to come: the qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo,” the statement said.
“Owner of many Hong Kong national swimming records, Kenneth To was a reference and example for the youth in the territory.
“In this moment of grief, Fina sends its heartfelt condolences to To’s entourage and to the entire swimming community in Hong Kong.”
British swimmer and Olympian Sophie Allen tweeted: “Terrifying to see this still happening to elite athletes.”
