It’s just been reported that Marco Pantani has died:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=reu-pantani&prov=reuters&type=lgns
Does anyone know anything more about what happened?
From Cyclingnews.com
Pantani dead at 34
This afternoon, the body of 34 year old Marco Pantani was found in a room in Le Rose di Rimini apartments in the Italian Adriatic coastal city of Rimini. The alarm was given to the Rimini police by the manager of the apartment complex. When the police arrived on scene they found Pantani’s body. The cause of death is not yet known, although according to initial information from the Rimini police, Pantani did not die a violent death. The coroner will come to examine the scene and there will be an autopsy according to Italian law.
Italian national coach Franco Ballerini was quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport as saying that, “This whole thing doesn’t seem real.”
Extremely sad. Very sad. He was an animated character and one sensed he never was able to enjoy his notoriety and athletic gift to the fullest.
Much of his athletic life was steeped in controversy and he once struggled with depression.
He gave us many fine moments of herosim and panache.
wow, Very very sad
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Isn’t this the 4th death of a professional male cyclist in the last 6 months or so? Something ain’t right. Two were said to be suffering from depression, but still, it just ain’t right. I’m very sad about this news.
agreed. i also always liked pantani and was stunned just now when i read this thread. this is the first i heard of it.
Sound like it might wind up being suicide. Very sad. I know some didn’t like him, but I always rooted for him. He certainly had style.
I would not consider Pantani’s death at this time to be like the others as Pantani has been doing odd stuff all year, and after his problems I would say he overdosed on whatever. He had his ears trimmed last year to escape the ridicule and no longer be called elefantino. The 3 other cyclists found dead (and another one this weekend), a young rider as reported at Velo news, could point to drugs. By the test Pantani failed it was never determined he had taken any drugs as ones Hermactic (sp.) level increases as one is dehydrated and is at an elevated altitude. Either way the presure to keep up with the few odd types like Lance push many to doing what might seem necesary and not appear all that harmless. How does doping in sports differ from the obese lineman in the NFL or anoerexic gymnasts? Bryant Gumble did a very nice piece on the present and future problems that these lineman will face in the future. Sad to see “the Pirate” go, he was a welcome character in the field.
Any death is an event of sadness and reflection. This is no different. However, Pantani was one of my favorite cyclists. Despite his problems, I enjoyed his skill and his attitude. This is a very sad event for me.
Alan
Horrible, horrible news. This is very sad indeed. I always loved watching him.