Fallen soldier was Olympian

Former Canadian Olympian Mark Graham was killed in Afghanistan Monday by a friendly fire incident.

Graham died when two U.S. aircraft mistakenly fired on a Canadian platoon duringan operation battling Taliban insurgents in Kandahar province. Thirty other soldiers were injured.

Graham's family asked for privacy as they quietly gathered in their small Hamilton, Ont., home to mourn their loss.

"They're in a fog and just weeping," said Rev. George Horton, of Stewart Memorial Church, where Graham's father has been a long-time parishioner and trustee.

"They are still in shock."

Graham, a Jamaican native, grew up in Hamilton and became a high-school track star.

He later competed for Canada on the 4x400-metre relay team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Graham also won two silver medals at the 1993 and 1994 Canadian Track and Field championships.

Calgary sprint coach John Cannon was the relay coach for the 1992 Canadian Olympic team and remembers Graham as a promising sprinter before injuries in 1994 ended his track career.

"He was a super athlete, but he had a lot of problems with injuries," he said. "He never really got to the level that we thought he would do."

Graham followed his Olympic experience by attending the University of Nebraska on a track and field scholarship and later went to Kent State University in Ohio.

The 33-year-old soldier was the oldest of three brothers, one of whom has also joined the Canadian military.

Graham was not married but leaves behind a young daughter.

"What a treasure we've lost," said Horton.

"I loved him like a son. Anyone who knew him would …. He was so handsome and stately."