(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/130104-burry-stander-jsw-815a.photoblog600.jpg)Jacques Boissinot / AP fileBurry Stander, seen here in 2010, was hailed as a "South African icon and sporting great" by Oscar Pistorius. By NBC News wire servicesJOHANNESBURG - One of the world's top mountain bikers died Thursday after being hit by a minibus taxi while training on a coastal road.
Burry Stander, 25, narrowly missed out on a medal at the London Olympics (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47964865/ns/world_news-london_2012_hosting_the_games/), coming in fifth in the men's cross country event. He also finished 15th at the Beijing Games.
The South African was a former under-19 and under-23 world champion.
Police said Stander was killed on Thursday while cycling alone. He died at the scene of the accident in Shelly Beach, about 75 miles southwest of Durban.
NBCNews
Early in the year this is already happening.God help us.May his soul rest in perfect peace