Sudden death of 800m-runner René Herms shocks German distance running scene

January 11, 2009

2004-Olympian René Herms was found dead in front of the computer at his home in Lohmen (Saxony). The dead body was found on Saturday morning by his mother-in-law after his wife was worried because he did not reply to any phone calls. René Herms only lived for 26 years.

Herms was 12-times German Champion and competed for the LG Braunschweig in the recent past. Herms was international recognised after his 2001 European Junior and 2003 European Under-23 victory at 800m. Herms also competed in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the World Championships 2003 (Paris) and 2005 (Helsinki). The 7th-place at the 2002 European Championship final in Munich was the biggest international success of the middle-distance runner. His personal best stands at 1:44,14 (from 2004).

The police started the investigations, even though there are no indications of suicide or third party fault. The day before the incident, Herms completed the normal training and talked with his coach about the coming indoor season. Herms had a flu in recent days and first reports suggest a heart illness as the cause of the death.

Rest In Peace René