- Dec 2 Sammy Lee, American diver (Olympic Gold 10m platform 1948, 52), dies from pneumonia at 96
- Dec 4 Margaret Whitton, American actress (Good & Evil, Major League), dies of cancer at 67
- Dec 5 Rashaan Salaam, American College Football Hall of Fame running back (Heisman Trophy 1994, U of Colorado; NFL: Chicago Bears), dies at 42
- Dec 7 Paul Elvstrøm, Danish yachtsman (4 Olympic gold, Finn class 1948, 52, 56, 60), dies at 88
- Dec 11 Sid O'Linn, South African cricketer (soccer for South Africa 1947, cricket 1960), dies at 89
- Dec 12 Walter Swinburn, English jockey (Epsom Derby 1981, 86, 95; Irish Derby 1983, 86; Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 1983), dies after falling from a window at 55
- Dec 14 Garrett K. Gomez, American jockey (US Champion Jockey by earnings 2006-09; Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey 2007-08), dies of a drug overdose at 44
- Dec 22 Miruts Yifter 'Yifter the Shifter', Ethiopian runner (Olympic golds 1980), dies at 72
- Dec 29 Chris Cannizzaro, American baseball player, dies at 78
- Dec 29 Ferdi Kübler, Swiss cyclist (Tour de France 1950, Points classification 1954; World C'ship gold Elite Men's Road Race 1951), dies at 97
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