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“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships,” the organization stated, per NBC News.
The skating community is mourning the tragic loss, with the federation expressing its heartbreak. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” U.S. Figure Skating said.
Among those lost were two renowned Russian figure skating coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. The Kremlin confirmed their identities, revealing that the husband-and-wife duo, who were former world champion skaters, were aboard the flight.
Shishkova and Naumov made history in 1994 when they captured the pairs world title in Chiba, Japan. They later competed in two Olympic Games and became prominent coaches at the Skating Club of Boston. Their son, Maxim Naumov, is an elite U.S. figure skater.
“Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated. “There were other fellow citizens there. Bad news today from Washington. We are sorry and send condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in the plane crash.”
The crash sent shockwaves across the figure skating world, with the International Skating Union issuing a heartfelt statement expressing its deep sorrow. The loss of these elite athletes and coaches is a devastating blow to the sport.
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Investigators are now working to determine how this tragedy unfolded. While details remain scarce, the collision between a commercial aircraft and a military helicopter raises serious concerns about flight coordination and safety protocols.
This heartbreaking event has left families in anguish and the skating community in mourning. As officials continue recovery efforts, the nation watches in sorrow, hoping for answers in the wake of this horrific accident.
