Olympic bobsledder Pavle Jovanovic dead from suicide at 43
OLYMPIC bobsledder Pavle Jovanovic is dead from suicide at 43.
Jovanovic died on May 3, when he took his own life, USA Bobsled & Skeleton said on Sunday.
“The winter sports community has suffered a tragic loss,” Aron McGuire, USA Bobsled/Skeleton CEO and a former teammate of Jovanovic’s said in a statement.
“Pavle’s passion and commitment towards bobsled was seen and felt by his teammates, coaches, competitors, and fans of the sport. He lived life to the fullest and had a lasting influence on all those who had the opportunity to spend time with him.”
McGuire added: “Pavle’s impact on each of us will be remembered and celebrated.”
A native of Toms River, New Jersey, Jovanovic began bobsled in 1997 when he was 20 years old.
He was gearing up for the 2002 Olympics, but was disqualified after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, Team USA said.
Jovanovic said he unknowingly took the banned steroid, Yahoo Sports reported.
He went on to win a World Championship bronze medal in the 2004 games, where he was a pusher for driver Todd Hays.
Jovanovic then took seventh place in both the two-and four-man events in his Olympic premiere at the 2006 Winter games – which were held in Turin, Italy.
He was a pusher for Stephen Holcomb – who died three years ago – at the 2006 games.
Beginning in 2004-2005 season, Jovanovic won a total of 19 medals while competing for the US on the world cup circuit.
In 2011, he raced five times for Serbia.
Jovanovic’s teammates shared memories of the late athlete when news of his death emerged.
Former US bobsled coach Greg Sand shared a tribute to Jovanovic.
“We lost another good one in sliding sport this past week,” Sand wrote.
“If there was ever a bobsledder born to push heavy objects, man it was Pavle. Pavle was definitely a one of a kind original,” he added.
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Olympic gold medalist Steve Mesler wrote in a post that Jovanovic had a “standard for focus, dedication, meticulousness, and drive.”
“Pav was the best teammate anyone ever had,” Olympic gold medalist Steve Mesler wrote.
He added: “Pavle was King. He WAS the standard.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.