Jacques Freitag: South African high jump world champion found dead with gunshot wounds near cemetery

Jacques Freitag, 42, had been missing for a fortnight before being found. He had last been seen on June 17 leaving his mother’s house with another man. It has been reported that he was found with gunshot wounds.

In 2003 he took the gold medal in the high jump at the IAAF World Championships in Paris, clearing 2.35m - and was one of only a handful of athletes - the others including sprinter Usain Bolt - to have won the worlds at youth, junior and senior levels. But since his retirement from athletics the 6ft 8in high jumper was said to be troubled and had struggled with addiction.

South African Police spokesman Brigadier Brenda Muridili said Freitag had been shot several times and that a murder case has been opened. The body was found near the Zandfontein Cemetery in Pretoria West, local media have reported.

His sister Chrissie Lewis led the search for her brother, and told local reporters he had struggled with drug use.

“We weren't close at all over the last few years because of the drugs,” she told Rapport. “I am a single mother and have had to look after my kids and protect them. He has been on drugs for most of the time.”

Freitag retired from sport in 2013 and was said to have been sleeping on the streets or sofa surfing in latter years, having struggled to keep a full-time job.