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Swimmer Kenneth To, who won medals for Australia at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, has died aged 26 while at a training camp in Florida.
- To was raised in Australia from the age of two and won medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games
- He reported feeling unwell while training in Florida and died in hospital
- Fellow swimmers and coaches have remembered him as a formidable opponent and talented athlete
To, who transferred his nationality to Hong Kong in 2016, was training at the University of Florida to represent Hong Kong at next year's Tokyo Olympics.
A statement from the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) said he reported feeling unwell during a training session and was taken to hospital where he later died.
To, who grew up in Sydney after moving to Australia aged two, competed for Australia at world championships in 2011 and 2013 and at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where he won two silver medals.
In 2009, he came into the swimming spotlight when he broke Ian Thorpe's decade-old Australian record in the 16 Years 200 metre individual medley.
He also held 16 Hong Kong swimming records.
Swimming NSW and Australian pool star James Magnussen have posted tributes on social media.
Swimming NSW said it was "heartbroken" to announce one of its "best swimmers" had passed away.
"Kenneth will be remembered as much for his results in the pool, as well as being the true gentleman he was outside of it," the organisation said in a statement.
"At his peak, Kenneth was arguably, pound for pound, one of the best short course swimmers in the world, his power at the start and skills across all four strokes were difficult to match."
Magnussen posted on Instagram that To was "one of the fiercest competitors" he had ever met.
Swimming Australia national head coach Jacco Verhaeren said To was a versatile athlete.
"We are all very shocked and saddened by Kenny's passing and wish his family and friends strength at this incredibly difficult time," he said in a statement.
"He was a much-loved team member with a determined spirit and wonderful personality, so he will be missed by all his peers, coaches and staff."
Mr Verhaeren recalled To sustained a bad back injury in the lead-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and, although he could have withdrawn from the competition, he refused to give up.
"It showed the resilience that was instilled in him and was a testament to his character," he said.
The HKSI said it was deeply shocked and saddened by the news.
"Kenneth was an outstanding elite athlete who holds 17 Hong Kong records," a statement from the institute said.
"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."
Topics: death, community-and-society, swimming, sport, sydney-2000
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