New Delhi: International swimming star, Kenneth To who was aiming at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, died at 26, after a training session in Florida, US. Kenneth reportedly fell ill in the locker room after a training session and was taken to the hospital on Monday.
"The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing away of elite swimmer Kenneth To”, the HKSI stated in a statement on Tuesday. Kenneth To was an Elite Scholarship athlete at Hong Kong Sports Institute.
''He had been undergoing a three-month training programme with the Gator Swim Club of the University of Florida. He felt unwell at a training session and was taken to hospital, where sadly, he passed away'', the statement by HKSI added.
The institute had termed Kenneth as an 'outstanding elite athlete' as he was a holder of 17 records in Hong Kong. He had been with the institute since August, 2016 and had also transferred his Australian nationality, to compete for Hong Kong.
''He was extremely popular and loved by his teammates and competitors. Kenneth was known as a truly exceptional person, warm, funny and kind. His sudden passing is a huge loss to local sports'', the institute said. ''The HKSI extends our deepest condolences to Kenneth's family, teammates and coaches'', it further added. He was born in Hong Kong, but his family moved to Australia and raised him there. It was in 2016 that he switched his nationality to China.