Duncan Pugh
{{short description|Australian bobsledder (1974–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Duncan Pugh
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| nationality = Australian
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1974|12|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
| residence =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|1|25|1974|12|2|df=y}}
| death_place = Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| height = {{height|m=1.90|precision=0}}
| weight = {{convert|105|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
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| country = {{AUS}} (2007–2010)
| sport = Bobsleigh
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| olympics = Vancouver 2010
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Duncan Michael Pugh (2 December 1974 – 25 January 2023) was an Australian bobsledder.
Early life
Pugh was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.{{cite web|last=Cornish|first=Patrick|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/obituaries/duncan-pugh-obituary-from-trinity-student-to-respected-newman-college-teacher-via-the-olympics-c-9926662|title=Duncan Pugh obituary: From Trinity student to respected Newman College teacher via the Olympics|work=The West Australian|date=3 March 2023|access-date=11 November 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231111011143/https://thewest.com.au/news/obituaries/duncan-pugh-obituary-from-trinity-student-to-respected-newman-college-teacher-via-the-olympics-c-9926662|archive-date=11 November 2023}} In 1981, he and his family moved to Perth, Western Australia. As a youth, he competed in athletics. At age 12, he represented Western Australia at the Australian track and field championships. He specialised in the 400m hurdles.
Pugh attended Trinity College and Edith Cowan University.{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-bobsleigh/athletes/duncan--pugh_ath1017029fs.html|title=Duncan Pugh, Bobsleigh|work=vancouver2010.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220055115/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-bobsleigh/athletes/duncan--pugh_ath1017029fs.html|archive-date=20 February 2010}} After completing university with a degree in physical and outdoor education, he returned to England to work at several schools in London.
Career
Pugh was introduced to bobsleigh by Ted Polglaze and debuted on the international circuit in 2007 at the age of 32. He won bronze at the 2009 America's Cup in Canada with Christopher Spring. He then qualified for the 2010 Vancouver Games but was knocked out in the first round when he and pilot Jeremy Rolleston's sled flipped over and saw them slide down the course upside-down.{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/olympics/a-legend-aussie-winter-olympian-duncan-pugh-dies-suddenly-at-48/news-story/039d1ccc7a840c79a8a34eaa42fc70c1|title='A legend': Aussie Winter Olympian Duncan Pugh dies suddenly at 48|work=news.com.au|date=31 January 2023|access-date=1 February 2023}}
Personal life
Pugh was the son of Diane and David. He had two sisters, Rebecca and Hannah.
Pugh and his wife McKenzie had two sons.
Pugh taught at Newman College in Perth for 17 years. He was also a surf lifesaver and a volunteer rugby coach at Wests Scarborough Rugby Union Club.{{cite web|last=Escobar|first=Natalie|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/perth/duncan-pugh-former-aussie-olympian-bobsledder-dies-at-48-c-9612345|title=Duncan Pugh: Perth man and Australian Olympic bobsledder dies aged 48 after brain aneurysm|work=perthnow.com.au|date=31 January 2023|access-date=1 February 2023}}
Death
On 24 January 2023, Pugh suffered a brain aneurysm in his hometown, Perth. He died the following day at the age of 48.{{cite web |title=Duncan Pugh |url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/118641 |website=Olympedia |access-date=29 January 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pugh, Duncan}}
Category:Australian male bobsledders
Category:Bobsledders at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Category:Olympic bobsledders for Australia
Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen
Category:Sportspeople from Perth, Western Australia