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Olympic gold medallist's son dead at 26

Cameron Burrell, former NCAA national champion sprinter, has died at the age of 26.

He was a star at The University of Houston throughout 2013 to 2018, and they announced his sad death.

The school says he died on Monday.

Burrell’s father, Leroy Burrell, a former Olympic gold medal sprinter who coaches Houston's track team, released a statement.



"My family is extremely saddened with the loss of our son, Cameron," Leroy Burrell said.

"We are going through profound sorrow and ask that all of our friends, extended University of Houston family and the track and field community in the U.S. and abroad allow us to gather with our closest family and friends.

“We are profoundly grief-stricken and thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers and support."

Cameron Burrell won the national title in the 100 metres in 2018 in Eugene, Oregon.

He went on to earn a second national title with his team that season by running the anchor leg of the 4x100-metre relay.

"Words cannot express how we feel for Leroy, Michelle and their family. Cameron grew up around the Houston athletics department, worked hard and developed himself into one of our greatest track and field stars," athletics director Chris Pezman said.

"To lose him so suddenly is tragic. We ask all University of Houston and track and field fans to keep coach Burrell and his family in their thoughts and prayers."


Cameron Burrell was a three-time, first-team All-America in the 60-metre dash (2014, 2017-18) in the indoor season and earned first-team All-America honours three times (2016-2018) in the 100 on the outdoor schedule.

He also was an All-America honouree as the anchor of the team's 4x100-metre relay in 2014 and 2018.

He ran anchor on the United States relay team that won gold at the 2018 Athletics World Cup.

Perhaps one of Burrell’s most notable achievements was when he became the 121st man to run the 100 in less than 10 seconds.

He posted a time of 9.93 seconds on June 8, 2017.

The mark was .01 of a second faster than his father's school record.

Burrell is survived by his father, mother, who is Olympic gold medalist Michelle Finn-Burrell, and brothers Joshua and Jaden.

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.

Tags:
Cameron Burrell, Leroy Burrell, Michelle Finn-Burrell, sprinters, olympian, sports