Australian sport in mourning over death of former Hockeyroos captain

The Australian sporting community is mourning the tragic death of former Hockeyroos captain and Olympic gold medallist Sandy Pisani.

Pisani died on Tuesday at age 63 after a long battle with cancer.

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Mike Turtur, a fellow Olympic gold medallist in cycling and the long-time race director of the Tour Down Under, was Pisani's partner for 32 years.

Turtur and daughter Elli released a statement saying Pisani died on Tuesday morning at hospital in her home city of Adelaide.

She was diagnosed with cancer in December of 2019, and the statement said Pisani's family was with her when she died.

"Sandy has fought tirelessly and in true competitive spirit for more than than two years until her very last breath," the statement said.

"She loved her family and friends with great passion and heart, fiercely loyal and feisty, compassionate and kind, we will cherish all of our special memories and times shared in our hearts forever."

Pisani was a member of the Hockeyroos team that won Australia's first Olympic gold medal in the sport at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.

She captained the Hockeyroos from 1985-86 and also competed at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

From 1981-88 she earned 105 caps for the Hockeyroos and was head selector when the team won gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

Australian sport mourns death of Sandy Pisani

She was made a life member of Hockey South Australia and was inducted into the SA sport hall of fame in 2015.

"Hockey SA is deeply saddened by the passing of South Australian Hockey Legend, Sandy Pisani OAM," the organisation said in a statement.

"The sporting stalwart, whose career spanned across dual Olympics, evolved from playing to coaching and a national team selector, died on 19 April 2022 at St Andrews Hospital, after battling cancer since December 2019.

"After retiring in 1989 Sandy received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for Service to the Sport of Hockey.

"Sandy’s involvement continued as National Head Selector with Hockey Australia from 1993-2000 when the Hockeyroos won Gold Medals at the 1996 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney Olympics.

"An athlete, a coach, a team selector, a mentor to young hockey players, a sports administrator, a promotor, an event manager, but most of all, a loyal friend to many, taken too soon.

"Hockey SA sends its condolences to Sandy’s partner Mike Turtur, daughter Elli, and Sandy’s extended family and loved ones.

"Sandy will be farewelled at a celebration of her life in the coming days."

Tributes have also been flowing in on social media.

with AAP

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