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Germany canoe slalom coach dies in car crash near Olympic Park

Stefan Henze, the coach of Germany's canoe slalom team and a 2004 Olympic medallist, dies from the injuries suffered in a car crash in Rio last Friday.

Germany canoe slalom coach Stefan Henze has passed away following a car crash near the Olympic Park in Rio.

The 35-year-old, who won a silver medal at the 2004 Games, was involved in a collision along with a teammate last Friday.

Henze was travelling in a taxi that collided into a concrete barrier, causing serious head injuries which he failed to recover from.

A statement released by the German Olympic Committee read: "We are very sad today. Words can not describe approximately what we feel in the Olympic team after this terrible loss."

Team chief Michael Vesper added: "Today sports, for which the entire team came to Rio, moves into the background. Our thoughts are with his family who had the chance here to bid farewell."

A memorial service is due to be held in the Olympic Village on Tuesday, while the International Olympic Committee has been asked to fly the flag of Germany at half-mast at all Rio 2016 venues.

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Daniel Lewis
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