Famed Australian Olympian and Rugby Player Dies Suddenly at 35

File photo of a rugby player throwing a ball at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on April 2, 2017. Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Australian rugby player and bobsledder Simon Dunn has died suddenly at 35 years of age, officials have confirmed.

Dunn, reportedly the first openly gay man to represent any country in bobsleighing, was found dead in his Sydney apartment on Jan. 21, New South Wales (NSW) Police confirmed.

The circumstances surrounding his death are not being treated as suspicious, according to police.

“About 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023, police were called to a unit on Crown Street, Surry Hills, after reports the body of a man had been found inside,” police said in a statement to multiple outlets. “The body is believed to be that of the 35-year-old occupant. Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding his death, which is not being treated as suspicious.”

Dunn’s agent, Ruby Rose Management, also confirmed his death in a statement to local media outlets, adding that the athlete “was loved, adored, and respected within our community worldwide.”

“Simon was passionate about giving back to the community and volunteering. He gave his time and [used] his profile to help multiple charities,” the statement read.

Rugby Player, Bobsleighing Star

Dunn, who had been an avid rugby player growing up in the coastal city of Wollongong in Australia, shot to fame in 2014 when he became the first openly gay member of Australia’s Olympic bobsledding team.

He retired from the Olympic team in 2016 and went on to play rugby full-time for the Sydney Convicts, an all-gay team that participated in the Bingham Cup in 2022, and also played with the Kings Cross Steelers in London.

“We are devastated by the loss of Simon to our club and community, and share our deepest condolences with Simon’s family, friends, and those who Simon brought love to over the years,” the Sydney Convicts said in a statement.

Dunn attempted to make a return to bobsleighing in 2021 in an attempt to qualify for the Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022 but was unable to do so after tearing his bicep during training and was subsequently forced to return to Australia.

In November 2022, he wrote on Instagram that the recovery process from the injury was “long and painful.”

“Unable to work, insurance companies finding any excuse not to help. I entered some pretty low places. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve referred to myself as a ‘failure’ or questioned my entire career,” he wrote at the time.

‘Selfless, Compassionate, and Kind Individual’

According to his official website, Dunn set up a personal training business where he used his “experience as an athlete whilst training and competing in Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia” to help train clients.

The athlete also regularly engaged in LGBT activism and was shortlisted for Australian LGBTI Sports Person of the Year in 2018 and 2019, according to his website.

“For me, my passion will always be working for my community and advocacy organizations, plus exploring further ways I can contribute,” he wrote in an October 2022 Instagram post announcing his separation from his partner of five years, Felix Maisey-Curtis.

Dunn was also an ambassador for the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, Australia’s longest-running HIV charity.

In a statement, the foundation described the athlete as a “selfless, compassionate, and kind individual who treated everyone equally, stood up for marginalized and vulnerable people, and called out injustice.”

“He was a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation in sport, speaking about his experiences of homophobia in his younger years,” the group said. “He was determined to make a positive change in sporting culture throughout the world and his tireless efforts to promote inclusion and equality in sport will continue to inspire future generations.”