Mexico athlete Noe Hernandez dies weeks after being shot

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Noe Hernandez, Sydney 2000
Image caption,
Noe Hernandez became a national hero in Mexico

A Mexican athlete who won the 20km walk silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics has died two weeks after being shot in the head in a bar.

Noe Hernandez, who lost his left eye in the attack, was recovering at home when he suffered an apparent heart attack and died on the way to hospital.

The 34-year-old athlete was in a bar in central Mexico on 30 December when a row broke out at a nearby table.

A man opened fire, killing two people and wounding Hernandez and another man.

Mexican police are looking for three men in connection with the shooting, which happened in the town of Los Reyes La Paz.

Hernandez, who lost one eye and suffered major sight loss in the other, underwent cranial reconstruction surgery.

Doctors had discharged the athlete, who had been due to return to hospital for another operation.

Officials say a post mortem examination will be conducted to determine if his death was linked to his gunshot injuries.

Noe Hernandez became a household name in Mexico after winning his silver medal in Sydney.