Olympic middle-distance runner David Torrence was found dead in an Arizona swimming pool Monday.
According to the Arizona Republic, Scottsdale police said the 31-year-old’s body was discovered at the bottom of a pool at a condominium complex around 7:30 a.m.
Torrence was born in Okinawa and grew up in Los Angeles before attending Cal-Berkeley, but he competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics for Peru, his mother’s native country. He qualified for the finals in the 5,000 meters with a Peruvian national record time of 13 minutes, 23.20 seconds, and ended up finishing 15th in the final with a time of 13:43.12.
He also owns the Peruvian record in the mile (3:53.21) and 1,500 meters (3:34.67), both set earlier this summer.
Before petitioning to compete for Peru, Torrence had run for the U.S. in international competitions, winning a silver medal in the 5,000 at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
The 31-year-old competed for Peru and made the final in the 5,000m race won by Mo Farah at Rio 2016
American website TMZ report that it is currently unclear what happened to the star athlete, however a police statement said “there were no obvious signs of foul play”.
A medical examiner is still working to determine the cause of death.
Paramedics were called to the Center Court Condominiums at around 7.30am local time after staff found a man at the bottom of the pool.
The runner had moved from Los Angeles to Arizona – where his body was found – a few weeks ago to help his training.
Torrence won silver for the USA at the World Relay Championships in 2014.
He claimed another second-place finish at the Pan American Games in 2015.
Names from the world of athletics were quick to pay tribute to Torrence.
American mid-distance runner Kyle Merber wrote: “I was going to pick David up at the airport in a few days to come to my house like he does every September.
“Today we lost an amazing athlete and an even greater friend.”
American Leo Manzano, who won silver in the 1500m at the London 2012 Olympics, said: “It saddens me to hear about my former team-mate David Torrence. My heart goes out to him and his family.”
Canadian track and field Olympian Nate Brannen said: “In complete shock to hear of the passing of David Torrence. Great guy and friend. He will be deeply missed.”
Pro athlete Molly Huddle said: “Such sad news. When I think of David Torrence he’s smiling, brightening a room, passionately chasing down dreams, being a force for good. RIP.”
Fellow runner Molly Huddle: “I am absolutely broken hearing about David Torrence. One of the best humans I’ve ever met, I will miss him deeply.”
And Rio 2016 5,000m silver medallist and 2017 World Athletics Championships bronze medal winner Paul Chelimo: “I’m just shocked. Woke up from a nap only to hear David Torrence is dead. May he RIP.”
