Rafael Duarte (BRA) (© André Schroeder CBAt.jpg)
Brazilian Race Walking specialist Rafael dos Anjos Fontenelle Duarte tragically died on 22 February in the Brazilian capital, Brasília.
The 25-year-old Duarte was found dead in the swimming pool of the condominium where he lived in Brasília. The autopsy examinations determined that the cause of the decease was drowning. Duarte was found by his coach, Valtinho Pereira da Silva.
Duarte was born in the state of Rio de Janeiro, on 11 October 1983, but lived in Brasília for a long time. His breakthrough happened in 2002 when he finished fourth at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Kingston at the 10,000m race in 42:00.39, a performance that is still a Brazilian junior record.
Shortly after his great performance in Kingston, Duarte was diagnosed with Leukemia, but after almost three years of medical treatment he returned to competition at the 2005 Troféu Brasil.
In 2008 he had set a PB for 20km with 1:24:13, and a week before his death (15 February) Duarte had made a promising debut over 50km by finishing in second place at the Copa Brasil Caixa de Marcha, held in Timbó, Santa Catarina. Then, after crossing the finish line in 4:10:50, Duarte was very happy, declaring his intentions for the season: “I wanted to experience the 50km, but I will only focus on this distance in the future”.
The President of the Brazilian Athletics Confederation, and member of IAAF’s Council, Dr. Roberto Gesta de Melo determined three days of national mourning to honour the 25 year-old Duarte.
Eduardo Biscayart for the IAAF