Jobie Dajka of Australia found dead

Australian Jobie Dajka celebrates after beating Arnaud Tournant during the second heat of the semi final of the men's sprint on the fourth day of the UCI world track cycling championships on August 2, 2003 in Stuttgart.

Former world champion cyclist Jobie Dajka (11 December 1981 – 7 April 2009) of Australia was found dead in his Adelaide home after a long battle with alcoholism and depression, reports said on April 8, 2009. The body of the 2002 keirin world champion was discovered on Tuesday afternoon, Australian media reported. Police refused to officially confirm Dajka's death, saying only that the body of a 27-year-old man had been found in Adelaide and the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Dajka received an AIS Junior Athlete of the Year award in 1999, and an Achievement Award in 2002 and 2003.

He missed selection for the 2000 AthensOlympic, but competed in the 2002 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, winning the Keirin World Championship.

Dajka was sent home from the 2004 pre-Olympic training camp, accused of having lied to the enquiries into the Mark French doping affair. His appeal at his expulsion and later suspension was unsuccessful.

Following a tribunal on 15 June 2005, he received a three year ban following an assault on Martin Barras, the Australian national track coach. After suffering emotional and mental problems, Dajka had a brief stay in an Adelaide hospital suffering depression and alcohol-related stress.

Dajka's racing licence was reinstated on 22 December 2006; his ban was lifted early in accordance with conditions set out in the 2005 tribunal- that he sought immediate medical treatment and completed 80 hours of community service.

Dajka was found dead in his home by police on 7 April 2009. The cause of his death is unknown, but police said the death is not believed to be suspicious.

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