32-year-old Ian Matos died on Wednesday of a lung infection after being hospitalized for two months. Matos went to the hospital in October for a throat infection.
His condition drastically deteriorated this week after the infection spread to his stomach and lungs.
The Olympic diver represented Brazil at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Ian Matos: Olympic diving star dies aged 32 https://t.co/5fJ3H12eO6 pic.twitter.com/1G3KhhoQ4X
— SPORTS CIRCUS INT. (@SPORTSCIRCUSINT) December 23, 2021
Ian Matos, Olympic diver inspired to come out by Tom Daley, dies aged 32:https://t.co/K1kGyOgMwV pic.twitter.com/ArdEcBTPlV
— Attitude Magazine (@AttitudeMag) December 23, 2021
The COVID World shared a statement from Brazil’s Olympic Committee:
We are profoundly saddened to have received the news of the premature death of the Olympic diver Ian Matos, aged just 32.
Team Brazil acknowledges his contribution to the evolution of the discipline.
Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
In August, Matos posted an Instagram picture of himself receiving the COVID-19 jab captioned “Moment of pure joy!”
Before competing in the men’s synchronized three-meter springboard at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Matos won three bronze medals at the 2010 South American Games.
RT added:
The diving sensation had emerged from a crowded field of hopefuls to qualify for the synchronized springboard event in 2016, where he finished eighth alongside diving partner Luiz Outerelo.
