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I've been thinking about Kiran this week. If he were still alive, he might well be rowing in Beijing this week. I hope he would be. The Canadian men's eight scullers who took gold will certainly have included some of his friends. He was a PhD student in my department in Toronto and an Olympic-level rower. He was immensely fit, but his heart gave out in the middle of practice, out on the water. By the time anyone could get to him, it was too late. (G&M Obituary; RowingNews Obituary)
He was kind, quiet, and funny, quirky and dedicated. At his memorial service, "Au fond du temple saint" was played; I had had no idea he was an opera fan. Now, I associate the duet, in part, with him. Even several years later (how can it be several years later already?), it's hard to believe he's not still around somewhere; and that he could never make it to Beijing.
He was kind, quiet, and funny, quirky and dedicated. At his memorial service, "Au fond du temple saint" was played; I had had no idea he was an opera fan. Now, I associate the duet, in part, with him. Even several years later (how can it be several years later already?), it's hard to believe he's not still around somewhere; and that he could never make it to Beijing.
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There was a spate of similar deaths in Ireland last year. Kids went back to school after the long holiday and by the end of the first week three (at various ages but all under 18) had dropped dead on the sports field of heart attacks. Fit kids too. Seems like this is a recognized syndrome. Still appalling for all concerned though.
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Strangely, I have a friend and ex-student - and even more coincidentally, the friend who takes me kayaking - with the heart problem that probably killed him. There is something that causes a heart to give out when it is over-exerted. She was fortunate enough to pass out at an intersection when cycling, and the thing was discovered. She has an electronic defibulator implanted inside her which kicks in if her heart gives out. I think this often goes undetected in athletes because their hearts are in very good shape most of the time and it takes a lot to stress them to that extent.
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*big trans-Atlantic hugs*
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I guess on reflection I have done 3 ride for hearts which seems to confirm the fact...
I guess I had a thought about him when Olympic rowing was mentioned. One could also be pretty sure that he would have been done his Phd by now and pursuing his academic career.
He was a truly amazing guy, I really appreciated that in the weeks after his death and that I did not know him as well as I should have. Sometimes it does seem like only the good die young.