Special Olympic athlete from Bloomington ‘was loved by all’

Posted on June 12, 2017

Barry Mogk, 43, of Bloomington. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Barry Mogk)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Special Olympics Illinois paid tribute to an athlete from Bloomington who died during the Summer Games on Saturday.

Organizers observed a moment of silence on Saturday night in honor of 43-year-old Barry Mogk. Barry was competing in a swimming event at Normal West High School on Saturday when he suffered a medical emergency and was taken to Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:49 p.m.

McLean County Coroner Kathy Davis said preliminary autopsy results show that he died from a cardiac arriythmia.

According to a news release from the coroner, Mogk’s mother said Barry “looked forward to competing in the Special Olympics” and “loved his coaches and the athletes.” She said, “Barry enjoyed life and was loved by all.”

Special Olympics Illinois CEO Dave Breen said during an observance in Normal on Saturday the family wanted the games to continue.

“So that says a lot about this person’s spirit,” Breen said.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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