The kayaker Bastien Damiens, aged 20, died in the night from Saturday to Sunday after a fall on the 5th floor. He was preparing for the Rio Olympics in 2016.
A tragic accident
Bastien Damiens died in the night from Saturday to Sunday, following a party in the center of Lille that went wrong. Under the influence of alcohol, he tried to move from one apartment to another, from the outside, on the 5th floor of the building where the party was held.
His attempt was successful however on the return, he slipped, causing him to fall 15 meters. Despite the intervention of emergency, Bastien Damiens fell into a coma. He later died on Sunday evening.
A hopeful Olympian
Bastien Damiens was promised a bright future. Still a boy, he wasn’t far away from qualifying at the 2012 Olympics in London. His career was marked by several victories, and the young champion showed lots of potential. His peers hoped to see him compete at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
His tragic death has shocked the entire sporting community, especially his coach Vincent Hannedouche and his club partner Thibaut Vieilliard.