- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,263,801
- Reaction score
- 59
The Australian track and field community is in mourning for the second time this summer after the sudden death of Natasha Ward, a promising middle-distance runner.
New South Wales Athletics in Australia announced in a statement released on July 30 that Ward had died. She was 21 years old. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
She had recently won a bronze medal in the 800 meters in April at the UniSport National, Australia's equivalent to a collegiate national championship.
3,300 MILES, 47 DAYS, ONE LEG: A Paralympian's grueling triathlon across America
"Beyond her achievements on the track, Natasha was a greatly loved member of our community," New South Wales Athletics wrote in its statement. "Her kindness and joy touched everyone fortunate enough to know her, and her magnetic smile and warm personality have left a permanent mark on Australian athletics. Natasha’s enthusiasm and determination inspired her training partners."
Sutherland District Athletics Club noted in a statement announcing Ward's death that, "Natasha was an active member of the club, competing in both summer and winter relays each year, and was always willing to step in and help whenever a team was short."
Ward mostly competed in 400m, 800m and 1500m events, according to multiplereports in Australia. She raced at the 2024 Australian Championships alongside Olympians such as Morgan Mitchell and Claudia Hollingsworth.
She was also a student at Sydney’s Macquarie University, where she studied exercise and sports science, according to her LinkedIn profile.
"I’m still in shock. This beautiful young woman served my son and I at Nike Birkenhead only a few weeks ago," Alicia DePasquale recalled in a tribute written underneath the Facebook post announcing Ward's death. "She was incredibly knowledgeable, taking the time to explain the differences between all the track running shoes and helping us find the right pair for my son’s upcoming athletics season. I’ll never forget coming down the escalator as she was heading up for her break."
Ward's death comes less than two months after 25-year-old Australian track-and-field athlete Jemma Stapleton died in a tragic scooter accident while on vacation with her family in Thailand.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Natasha Ward, promising Australian track and field athlete, dies at 21
Continue reading...
New South Wales Athletics in Australia announced in a statement released on July 30 that Ward had died. She was 21 years old. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
She had recently won a bronze medal in the 800 meters in April at the UniSport National, Australia's equivalent to a collegiate national championship.
3,300 MILES, 47 DAYS, ONE LEG: A Paralympian's grueling triathlon across America
"Beyond her achievements on the track, Natasha was a greatly loved member of our community," New South Wales Athletics wrote in its statement. "Her kindness and joy touched everyone fortunate enough to know her, and her magnetic smile and warm personality have left a permanent mark on Australian athletics. Natasha’s enthusiasm and determination inspired her training partners."
Sutherland District Athletics Club noted in a statement announcing Ward's death that, "Natasha was an active member of the club, competing in both summer and winter relays each year, and was always willing to step in and help whenever a team was short."
Ward mostly competed in 400m, 800m and 1500m events, according to multiplereports in Australia. She raced at the 2024 Australian Championships alongside Olympians such as Morgan Mitchell and Claudia Hollingsworth.
She was also a student at Sydney’s Macquarie University, where she studied exercise and sports science, according to her LinkedIn profile.
"I’m still in shock. This beautiful young woman served my son and I at Nike Birkenhead only a few weeks ago," Alicia DePasquale recalled in a tribute written underneath the Facebook post announcing Ward's death. "She was incredibly knowledgeable, taking the time to explain the differences between all the track running shoes and helping us find the right pair for my son’s upcoming athletics season. I’ll never forget coming down the escalator as she was heading up for her break."
Ward's death comes less than two months after 25-year-old Australian track-and-field athlete Jemma Stapleton died in a tragic scooter accident while on vacation with her family in Thailand.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Natasha Ward, promising Australian track and field athlete, dies at 21
Continue reading...
