Kelly Catlin US Cycling Olympian Commits Suicide at Age 23

Kelly Catlin a silver medalist and member of the U.S. women’s pursuit team during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, committed suicide on the Stanford University campus on March 7, 2019. She was 23 years old.

Rob DeMartini USA Cycling chief executive released a statement on March 10 saying that the cycling community is sad about this loss.

Support will be given to Catlin’s staff, coaches, and teammates. They encouraged those individuals who knew Catlin to support each other.

Mark Catlin, her father wrote VeloNews about his daughter’s suicide. He said there is not a second that goes by that she is thought of. Her family could only imagine the life she would have had.

He continued by saying he would have given his life in exchange for his daughter, and could not describe how hurt he felt.

The vice provost of student affairs for Stanford wrote in an email that Catlin’s roommate found her. There was no evidence of foul play.

Catlin’s brother, Colin, wrote a post on his Facebook stating that his sister committed suicide. He shared his entire life with her, and he will be missing her.

Caitlin attended the University of Minnesota and earned a degree in Chinese and biomedical engineering. She was also an artist and violinist.

The cyclist also was part of the U.S. team when they won three world titles between 2016 and 2018. In 2017 and 2018m she won a bronze medal in individual pursuit at the track cycling world championships.

Written by Barbara Sobel

Sources:

The Washington Post: U.S. Olympic cycling medalist Kelly Catlin dies at 23
New York Post: US Olympian Kelly Catlin, 23, dead in apparent suicide
The Guardian: USA’s Kelly Catlin, three-time cycling world champion, dies aged 23

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