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Richard Adjei, here in Altenberg in 2012
Photo:
imago sports photo service
Richard Adjei's death caused dismay and sadness.
On Tuesday, Adjei's brother Jason announced on Facebook that the former German bobsledder had died at the age of only 37.
As a pusher, the former football professional won silver in the two-man bobsleigh at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver with pilot Thomas Florschütz.
In 2011 Adjei celebrated the European Championship and World Championship title with pilot Manuel Machata in a four.
"Unfortunately Richard Adjei passed away last night at the age of 37 in the arms of his wife and me," wrote Jason Adjei: "His wife gave him all the love in the world on his last journey."
Nothing is known about the cause of death.
Thomas Bach said he fondly remembers "our time together at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where Richard won the silver medal".
The IOC president also said that Adjei was "a great athlete" who "always had a positive aura that brought him a lot of friendships and a lot of sympathy - including mine. We will always remember him."
The Olympic luge champions Tobias Wendl / Tobias Arlt said goodbye to Adjei on Instagram.
"We will always remember you and wish your family a lot of strength," said the post.
Adjei began his sporting career as an American footballer in Düsseldorf, then played for the Berlin Thunder before playing again in Düsseldorf from 2008 to 2010.
Adjei also played as a linebacker in NFL Europe for Rhein Fire from 2004 to 2006 in his hometown.
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