Fourteen athletes, coaches, and families linked to figure skating were aboard the plane that collided with a helicopter in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night. According to authorities, those involved were returning from Wichita, Kansas after participating in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships that took place from January 20 to 26.
According to the CEO of the Boston Figure Skating Club, Doug Zeghibe, a total of 14 individuals related to the championship were affected by this tragic incident, six of whom were members of his organization. Among the victims were two young skaters, their mothers, and two coaches, including Russian champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors in the collision between the plane with 64 people on board and the military helicopter with 3 soldiers. This fatal event marks the second tragedy to impact the Boston Figure Skating Club, recalling the fatal plane crash in 1961 in which several members died while en route to the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.
According to Russian sources, the bronze medalist in pair skating from the Soviet Union, Inna Voliánskaya, was aboard the plane. Additionally, it was reported that Russian skater Maxim Naúmov also traveled on the aircraft, along with other Russian athletes and citizens of different nationalities.
The Kremlin spokesman extended condolences to the families and friends of the Russian citizens who lost their lives in this tragic event. Meanwhile, American skater Jon Maravilla revealed that 14 skaters were on the ill-fated flight, excluding coaches and family members, and shared that he saved himself from boarding the plane because he was not allowed to take his dog.
Amidst the shock, both authorities and athletes express their solidarity with those affected by this painful episode.
