World Class Endurance Athlete, Steve Larsen, passes away

Wow.

At first it was suspected he died from cardiac arrest or blood clot, but the latest news is it might have been viral or related to allergies...the man was having breathing troubles.
What the heck happened?

"Mike Larsen said the autopsy ruled out a heart attack and a blood clot. The cause of death may have been viral or related to allergies, he said.
'The last few weeks he had been having serious troubles with his breathing,' Mike Larsen said. He said his brother had been seeing a doctor about his breathing troubles and had been unable to finish his workouts. "
-Velo News Article, MAy 20, 2009


It's said he collapsed in the very beginning of a running workout.
How do athletes contemplate such a thing -we go about training despite "ailments" as a matter of practice when performance objectives are in mind.
And then one day we collapse and it is all over for this lifetime?

There is no control.

What I remember the most of the Steve was the controversy over this dominating National Champion's contested slot for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney Australia -a points race that went to Tinker Jaurez in the end after he broke a chain in a "winner take all" single event.

He initially vowed, after that misfortune, that he would turn his back on NORBA and USA Cycling- ultimately leading to his discovery and success in competing in Xterra and in Ironman triathlons. Tinker is brilliant and a hero, however Steve might have been a great Olympian and many have argued he should not have lost his slot because of that one race. He really stood up for himself -though very colorfully- and publically raised many questions concerning the political failings of USACycling, that so many felt was making very poor decisions concerning the country's top athletes.

Steve Larsen was one of the phenomenal athletes of our time.



Links:

Retired racer Steve Larsen dies after collapsing during running workout --Velo News
Autopsy shows Steve Larsen did not die of a heart attack --Velo News
A conversation with Steve Larsen A new gig and maybe a new outlook --Velo News
Fun Q&A with Larsen -- GUEnergy.com
2000 Olympics U.S. Long Team Announcement -- Jan 2000, Cyclingnews.com
2000 Olympics MTB Long Team Final Announcement --July 2000, Cyclingnews.com
Juarez back on the Olympic road after claiming Olympic long team spot --Racedates.com