Photo courtesy of Cameron Burrell/ Instagram.
Track star Cameron Burrell has passed away suddenly at the age of 26, Yahoo Sports reported. The cause of death has not been determined.
Burrell was a talented athlete who won the NCAA 100-meter dash in 2018 for the University of Houston. The track star also won a silver medal at the 2019 World Relays and a gold medal with the U.S. 4×100-meter relay team at the World Junior Championships in 2012.
The stellar runner is also the son of two Olympic gold medalists. His mother, Michelle Finn-Burrell, won her gold medal at the 1992 Olympics with the relay team. His father, Leroy Burrell, also won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in the 100-meter sprint. Track and field legend Carl Lewis is Cameron’s godfather. His father released a statement following his son’s premature death.
“My family is extremely saddened with the loss of our son, Cameron, last night. We are going through profound sorrow and ask that all of our friends, extended University of Houston family and the track and field community in the U.S. and abroad allow us to gather with our closest family and friends,” he said. “We are profoundly grief-stricken, and thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers and support.”
Mr. Burrell is currently the head coach at the University of Houston’s track and field program. His son broke his University track record in the 100 meters by .01 seconds. Cameron was a three-time All-American at 60 and 100 meters. He was also named All-American twice with the 4×100 relay team.
Chris Pezman, the Vice President of Athletics at the University of Houston, also released a statement.
“Cameron grew up around the Houston Athletics Department, worked hard and developed himself into one of our greatest Track and Field stars. To lose him so suddenly is tragic. We ask all University of Houston and track and field fans to keep Coach Burrell and his family in their thoughts and prayers.”
Burrell is survived by his parents and brothers Jaden and Joshua.