Pole vault legend Tim Lobinger has died

Former world-class pole vaulter Tim Lobinger is dead. The German died after a long illness at the age of 50, his family confirmed on Thursday evening. Lobinger was diagnosed with blood cancer in March 2017. After chemotherapy, stem cell donations and intermittent relapses, he was considered healthy again.

Lobinger published the book “Losing is not an option” in which he described his battle with cancer. In 2022, however, the disease returned.

“Tim Lobinger passed away in Munich on February 16 at the age of 50 after a serious illness. The former pole vault legend fell asleep peacefully in a small circle, he didn’t lose the fight, but won it in his own way. Please refrain from further media inquiries for the well-being of the family,” the family said in a statement.

There have not been any chances of long-term improvement, as Lobinger explained in an interview with the “Bild” newspaper in October 2022: “There will be no more healing for me. My cancer is too aggressive.”

Lobinger achieved his greatest sporting successes as a pole vaulter indoors: in 1998 he became European Champion in Valencia and in 2003 World Champion in Birmingham. Outdoors, Lobinger won bronze in 2002 and silver in 2006.

After his career as an athlete, Lobinger worked as an athletics trainer at RB Leipzig. As a personal coach, he later looked after the German national soccer player Joshua Kimmich from FC Bayern.

Lobinger’s son Lex-Tyger is a footballer, he is under contract with the second division club 1. FC Kaiserslautern. His daughter Fee made Lobinger a grandfather in October 2022.