Chante Hohip3 July 2024 | 11:05

Police find body said to be that of missing high jump champion Jacques Freitag

The former athlete went missing two weeks ago.

Police find body said to be that of missing high jump champion Jacques Freitag

Jacques Freitag carries his national flag on a victory lap after winning the men's high jump final 25 August 2003 at the 9th IAAF World Athletics Championships. Photo: AFP PHOTO/FRANCK FIFE

A body believed to be that of former world high jump champion Jacques Freitag has been found.

He went missing two weeks ago.

Freitag was last seen when he left his mother’s Pretoria West house with an unknown man at around 1 am on 17 June.

His sister Chrissie Lewis appealed for assistance in the search last week.

Speaking to the Rekord, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed a case of murder is being investigated.

“The discovery was made by the SAPS Search and Rescue Team which has been conducting a search for the missing person. The team included members from Air Wing with a police chopper, Water Wing and the local police.”

Freitag is one of only ten athletes to have won the world championships at youth, junior, and senior levels.

He was also a member of Team SA at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.