Australia Alex Pullin, the two-time snowboard cross Champion died mysteriously on Wednesday, he was found unresponsive off a beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The 32 years old Pullin was reported died while spearfishing in his native Australia, local officials have confirmed.
He was treated by paramedics at the scene but could not be revived, authorities said.
Nicknamed “Chumpy”, Pullin was Australia’s flagbearer at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said: “The man was spearfishing off Palm Beach. He was brought to shore by bystanders where he was treated by local lifesavers and paramedics.”
A snorkeler had spotted Pullin unconscious underwater on an artificial reef, local media said.
Lifeguards brought him to shore and called paramedics about 10:30 local time (00:30 GMT).
A police official told Australia’s Channel 9 News that Pullin appeared to have been diving alone.
“He didn’t have an oxygen mask, we understand he was free diving and spearfishing out on the reef,” Officer Chris Tritton said.
The athlete had previously shared pictures online of himself spearfishing, swimming and surfing.
The sport’s Australian top body, Snow Australia, said it was “shocked and saddened” by Pullin’s death.
“Alex was a beloved member of the Snow Australia community and he will be dearly missed,” it said in a statement.
“An incredible athlete, beloved teammate and role model, you will be sorely missed,” the Australian Olympic Team, which Pullin had been part of three times, said.
The chief executive of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, Geoff Lipshut, described the athlete as “one of our great winter sports pioneers”. He told Reuters news agency that Pullin had retired from snowboarding last month but had not announced the decision before his death.
Other athletes and commentators have also paid tribute, with many describing him as a kind and generous person.
“The world will miss such a talented human and a double world champion without ego and without selfishness who is everyone’s best mate,” wrote former Australian speed skater Steven Bradbury.
Pullin, who grew up in the town of Mansfield, Victoria, first learned to snowboard when he was eight years old, going on to win world championship titles in 2011 and 2013.
He also represented Australia in snowboard cross at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Olympics.
