Olympic Silver Medalist Kills Himself

In a tragic turn, Mike Whitmarsh, an Olympic silver medalist in beach volleyball, committed suicide Wednesday. The means of death was determined to be carbon monoxide poisoning. Whitmarsh was 46.

The following is the entirety of AP's report on this sad story.

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Mike Whitmarsh, Feb. 19: The 1996 Olympic silver medalist in beach volleyball committed suicide with carbon monoxide from car exhaust, according to the medical examiner.

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Marian Cozma, Feb. 8: The 26-year-old was a member of Romania's national handball team. Cozma was stabbed to death and two other players were seriously injured in an attack at a nightclub in western Hungary.

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Payton Jordan, Feb. 5: The college track and field star, seen here in 2004, went on to coach at Stanford and led the United States to a record 24 medals at the 1968 Olympics.

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John Gordy, Jan. 30: The former Detroit Lions offensive lineman was a three-time Pro Bowler and helped form the NFL Players' Association.

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From the Associated Press:

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 19) - Mike Whitmarsh, a 1996 Olympic silver medalist in beach volleyball, killed himself through carbon monoxide poisoning in the garage of a friend's home, officials said Wednesday. He was 46.

His body was found Tuesday at a home in Solana Beach, just north of San Diego, said San Diego County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Jan Caldwell. The medical examiner's office said an autopsy showed Whitmarsh committed suicide with carbon monoxide from car exhaust.

Whitmarsh teamed with Mike Dodd to take the silver medal in the inaugural beach volleyball competition at the Atlanta Olympics. The team lost to Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes in an all-U.S. final.

"We are shocked and saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of Mike Whitmarsh," USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal said in a statement. "The Olympic volleyball family and all of USA Volleyball have lost a wonderful person and remarkable athlete and performer.

"Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to his family for their loss at this tragic time."

Whitmarsh also played basketball at the University of San Diego, leading the Toreros to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1984. He later switched to beach volleyball.

"Mike was a great alum and did great things for the school, and we will miss him greatly," athletic director Ky Snyder said.

Whitmarsh is survived by his wife, Cindy, and two daughters.

Beach Volleyball

This undated image released by the Association of Volleyball Professionals shows volleyball player Mike Whitmarsh. Whitmarsh, who won a silver medal in beach volleyball at the 1996 Summer Olympics, was found dead in the garage of a friend's home, a spokesman for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said. Whitmarsh's body was found Tuesday at a home in Solana Beach, just north of San Diego, sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said Wednesday Feb. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/AVP)

** FILE ** This July 28, 1996 file photo shows Kent Steffes of the United States spiking the ball against fellow countryman Mike Whitmarsh during their beach volleyball finals at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Whitmarsh, who won a silver medal in beach volleyball at the 1996 Summer Olympics, was found dead in the garage of a friend's home, a spokesman for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said. Whitmarsh's body was found Tuesday at a home in Solana Beach, just north of San Diego, sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said Wednesday Feb. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith, File)

** FILE ** In this Aug. 21, 2008 file photo, the United States' Kerri Walsh reaches out to hit the ball against China during the women's gold medal beach volleyball match at the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The two-time Olympic gold medalist is focused on her impending motherhood, fighting the urge to get out on those sandy beaches _ or sandy indoor courts _ while traveling with the AVP's winter tour. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: Tara Roenicke of the USA warms up before the gold medal play off against Australia during the Beach Volleyball on day five of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival at Maroubra Beach on January 18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tara Roenicke

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: Summer Ross of the USA warms up before the gold medal play off against Australia during the Beach Volleyball on day five of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival at Maroubra Beach on January 18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Summer Ross

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: Tara Roenicke and Summer Ross of the USA celebrate a point in the gold medal play off against Australia during the Beach Volleyball on day five of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival at Maroubra Beach on January 18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tara Roenicke;Summer Ross

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: Tara Roenicke of the USA serves in the gold medal play off against Australia during the Beach Volleyball on day five of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival at Maroubra Beach on January 18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tara Roenicke

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: Mariafe Artacho of Australia spikes at the net in the gold medal play off against the USA during the Beach Volleyball on day five of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival at Maroubra Beach on January 18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mariafe Artacho

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 18: Zina Stone of Australia spikes at the net in the gold medal play off against the USA during the Beach Volleyball on day five of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival at Maroubra Beach on January 18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zina Stone

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