Andrew Simpson killed by his Sport

From ages past, we have seen or heard sorry tales about athletes who died by doing what they knew how to do best, some were at their peak while some were just picking up but the same sport that gave them everything in life sent them to the after life.

                     

Yesterday, tragedy hit the sporting world after Olympic hero and Gold medalist Andrew Simpson capsized in San Francisco.

Gold rush: Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson celebrate winning at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008

Sticking together: Percy and Simpson were team-mates in Beijing and London

Simpson claimed the bronze medal at the 2003 ISAF Sailing World Championships in Cadiz, in the Finn class, his training partner Ben Ainslie taking the gold as Great Britain topped the medal table.

Dream team: Percy and Simpson won medals at two Olympic Games

Moving to the Star class, and partnering Percy, they won a bronze medal at the 2003 ISAF Sailing World Championships to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Sailing to sucess: Percy and Simpson with Gold medal winner Ben Ainslie

Since winning the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal Percy and Simpson took a break from Star sailing and were in the TeamORIGIN afterguard. They competed at the 2012 Olympic Games, again in the Star class. They won the silver medal.

Out on the water: Prime Minister David Cameron talks with Finn class gold medallist Ben Ainslie and Simpson during the London Games

Simpson after receiving his OBE in 2009 at Buckingham Palace

Simpson was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.

Accident: The capsized Artemis catamaran, a 72-foot America's Cup entry from Sweden, is towed past Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay

Simpson died yesterday 9 May 2013 after his yacht capsized in San Francisco bay during training with the Swedish team Artemis Racing for the 34th America's Cup. He became trapped underneath the boat for ten minutes and despite attempts to revive him, by doctors afloat and subsequently ashore, his life was lost.

The team’s CEO Paul Cayard said: ‘The entire Artemis Racing team is devastated by what happened. Our heartfelt condolences are with Andrew’s wife and family.

Cayard held a short press conference, but did not elaborate on the cause of the tragedy.

He said: 'We had a tragic day today on the bay. Our thoughts are with Andrew Simpson’s wife and kids and also with the rest of the team. This is a shocking experience to go through.

'We have a lot to deal with in the next few days. The boat is under control but it is not the first of our concerns. We are focused on the people. We will give more information when we are able to.'

Rescue attempt: Coastguards attend to the scene of where the Artemis Racing AC72 catamaran capsized

San Francisco Fire Department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge confirmed that Simpson was taken to St Francis Yacht Club on the shore where paramedics performed CPR, but was pronounced dead.

She said another sailor suffered minor injuries.

Luke Patience, Simpson with son Freddie and Ainslie on an open top bus tour of Weymouth and Portland

Tributes have already begun pouring in for the popular two-time Olympic medallist.

Olympic silver medallist windsurfer Nick Dempsey said via his Twitter account 'Going to miss you Bart', while Luke Patience, who took silver in the men's 470 class at London 2012, said: 'Devastated. Bart, you are a true inspiration.'

Simpson and life Leah

Simpson is the second sailor killed during training for the America's Cup. He is survived by his wife Leah and their son freddie.