Discus thrower Philippa Roles dies aged 39
The two-time Olympian – who represented Great Britain in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008 – died at the weekend.
Discus thrower Philippa Roles has died at the age of 39, UK Athletics has announced.
The two-time Olympian – who represented Great Britain in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008 – died at the weekend.
Niels de Vos, chief executive of UK Athletics, said: “All at UK Athletics send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Philippa at this sad time.”
The cause of death has not been confirmed.
Roles’ Olympic debut came in Athens in 2004, where she threw 58.83 metres to come ninth in her qualifying group. She also competed at Beijing 2008, finishing 27th overall after throwing 57.44 metres.
Wales’ 2008 discus champion also finished fourth at two Commonwealth Games, in Manchester and Delhi, and sixth in Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne.
Neath-born Roles, who competed for Swansea, threw a personal indoors best of 62.89m in 2003 – placing her fourth in the British all-time rankings – while her outdoor best was 54.49m in 2010.
She previously finished third at the 1997 European Junior Championships and fourth at the 1999 European Under-23 Championships.
