The sports world mourns Tim Lobinger. The 2003 pole vault world champion died in Munich on Monday at the age of 50. This was confirmed by his family on Thursday evening to the German Press Agency. The “Rheinische Post” and RTL had previously reported.
According to the information, Lobinger succumbed to his cancer. The family told RTL: “The former pole vault legend fell asleep peacefully in a small circle, he didn’t lose the fight, he won it in his own way.” In 2017, the four-time Olympian was diagnosed with leukemia. After initially successful treatment, he said in the stern interview in 2018: “A mutated form of cancer has returned.”
In 2019 Lobinger drew hope again and was considered cancer-free. After another setback, he declared in the “Bild” newspaper last October: “There will be no more healing for me.” In February 2022, doctors told him his death was near. He should make arrangements, deal with his funeral and say goodbye to his loved ones. “The conversations with my children were tough. They know how bad things are for me,” he said at the time.
Born in Rheinbach on the Rhine, the former professional athlete was one of the most successful pole vaulters in Germany. In 2003 he became world indoor champion in Birmingham and in 1998 he won gold at the European Indoor Championships in Valencia. In the open air he remained without a place on the podium and the Olympic Games in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 were also disappointing. After his active career, Lobinger worked, among other things, as an athletic trainer at the RB Leipzig football club and as a personal trainer.
The former pole vaulter, who is considered dazzling, also took part in the RTL dance show “Let’s Dance” and the ProSieben show “Schlag den Star”.
Lobinger leaves behind two adult children and a primary school-age son. At the beginning of the year he became a grandfather, as he revealed to the magazine “Bunte”.
Sources: RTL, “Rheinische Post”, “Bild” newspaper, “Bunte”, DPA news agency
