Iranian cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad died after crashing at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics on Saturday, September 17.
Golbarnezhad, 48, was descending a steep hill on a mountainous area of the C4-5 road race course when he crashed at approximately 10:40 a.m. local time, according to the Associated Press.
He received emergency treatment at the scene before suffering a heart attack on the way to Unimed Rio Hospital, where he died shortly after arriving, NBC Sports reported.
"This is truly heartbreaking news, and the thoughts and condolences of the whole Paralympic movement are with Bahman's family, friends and teammates, as well as the whole of the National Paralympic Committee of Iran," IPC president Philip Craven said in a statement. "The Paralympic Family is united in grief at this horrendous tragedy, which casts a shadow over what have been great Paralympic Games here in Rio."
Iran Olympic tweeted Saturday afternoon that Golbarnezhad died of a fractured neck.
Earlier in the week, the athlete finished 14th in a time trial. He previously competed in the London Paralympics, but didn't receive a medal.
A moment of silence will be held in Golbarnezhad's honor at the Closing Ceremony at Maracanã Stadium on Sunday, September 18, according to NBC Sports.
