“ATHLETE GONE TOO SOON” TRAGEDY STRIKES — Young Australian sprinter Jemma Stapleton di3s aged 25
ATHLETE GONE
Jemma Stapleton dead aged 25: Australian sprinter tragically dies on holiday as family pay heartbreaking tribute
AN AUSTRALIAN star sprinter has died at the age of 25 while on holiday in Thailand.
Jemma Stapleton was with her family in Koh Samui when she died – just two weeks after her birthday.
Australian star sprinter Jemma Stapleton has died at the age of 25Credit: GoFundMe
She tragically passed away while on holiday just two weeks after her birthdayCredit: Instagram/jemmastapleton
Her partner Tyler Gray wrote on Instagram: “I cannot put into words the hurt I am feeling.
“You are the single greatest thing to happen to me and I am so grateful for the love we shared. I love you with all my heart.”
Her brother Joel also posted a tribute on his Instagram, hailing Jemma as “the best sister” and his “best friend.”
“I love you so much, I promise I’ll make you proud,” he wrote. “You were the best sister and my best friend, I’ll forever miss you.”
A GoFundMe said the athlete ‘lost her life in an accident while overseas’Credit: Instagram/jemmastapleton
Tributes have flooded in from the athletics communityCredit: Getty
A GoFundMe started by family friends said the athlete “lost her life in an accident while overseas” but did not share further details.
“It is with great sadness that our beautiful friends the Stapleton family are facing the unmeasurable grief while on a family holiday with the passing of their beautiful daughter, sister and partner Jemma,” the post said.
Created on Thursday, the page has already surpassed its $100,000 goal.
Declan Smith, who is behind the fundraiser, said Jemma would have been “absolutely overwhelmed” to see her community come together in this way, adding that it is “a true reflection of the beautiful person she was.”
Tributes to the Stawell Gift finalist have flooded in from the athletics community, praising her for the “immense talent, determination and love for athletics.”
Knox Little Athletics, which Jemma had completed, said that she will be remembered with “great fondness.”
A statement said: “Jemma was part of the Knox Little Athletics community as a Little Athlete with the Rowville Club.
“From an early age, Jemma showed great talent, determination and love for athletics, achieving success at Knox Championship level and going on to represent Knox at State level.
“Jemma later continued her athletics journey in the Victorian Athletic League, where she achieved outstanding success, including winning the Women’s Ringwood Gift and competing with distinction at the Stawell Gift, finishing 3rd in 2025.
“Her achievements on the track were a reflection of her dedication, competitive spirit and the joy she brought to the sport.”
The Victorian Athletic League (VAL) President, Charlie Sutherland, added Jemma was “a vibrant, shining light within the tight-knit Australian professional running family and the wider athletics community”.
“The entire VAL family is devastated by this immense loss,” he said.
In a separate statement, VAL said Jemma was a “valued member of our community whose presence, character and contribution left a lasting impact on those around her.”
Meanwhile, Rowville Netball Club paid a touching tribute to their former player saying the “loss of someone so young is simply unimaginable”.
“Jemma will always be remembered as part of our Rowville Netball Club family, and our thoughts are with all who are grieving this tragic loss,” they added.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/39402178/jemma-stapleton-dies-holiday/
