Australian Olympic figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, 20, ‘jumps’ to her death from Moscow apartment building after retiring from competiton over ‘health concerns’
- Former figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, 20, died in Moscow on Friday
- The Russian-born skater competed for Australia in the Pyeongchang Olympics
- She reportedly jumped from a window but the cause of death is not confirmed
Australian figure skating champion Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya has died at the age of 20 after reportedly jumping from a window.
The cause of the former Olympic skater’s death on Friday in Moscow has not yet been disclosed.
Reports in Russia claim the former skater may have committed suicide but ‘the circumstances of the incident are being clarified’, according to Izvestiu.
Miss Alexandroovskaya was born in Moscow, Russia, but obtained Australian citizenship in 2016 .
Figure skating champion Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya has died at the age of 20 after reportedly falling out a window in Moscow
The cause of the former world junior pairs champion’s death on Friday has not yet been disclosed
She competed for her adopted country at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics with skating partner Harley Windsor.
The pair won the 2017 world junior title. Miss Alexandrovskaya retired from the sport in February after sustaining several injuries.
Russian news agency TASS claim a note saying ‘love’ was found in her apartment after her death and an official source said: ‘The preliminary cause of death is suicide.’
Mr Windsor, Australia’s first Indigenous athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics, said he was ‘devastated’ by the news of her death.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘The amount we had achieved during our partnership is something I can never forget and will always hold close to my heart.’
Ian Chesterman, chef de mission for the Australian team in Pyeongchang, said the news was a terrible blow for all those who knew the skater.
Miss Alexandrovskaya competed for her Australia at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics with skating partner Harley Windsor
Mr Windsor wrote on Instagram: ‘The amount we had achieved during our partnership is something I can never forget and will always hold close to my heart’
Mr Chesterman said: ‘It is enormously sad to lose Katia, who was a vibrant and talented person and an incredible athlete.
‘She was quiet and humble in her manner but incredibly determined to be the best she could be.
‘Life since the Games has not been easy for her and this is another timely reminder of just how fragile life is.’
It is the second death of an Australian Winter OIympian in 10 days.
Alex Pullin, a two-time world champion snowboarder and three-time Olympian, drowned while spearfishing on July 8 on the Gold Coast north of Brisbane.
Ian Chesterman, chef de mission for the Australian team in Pyeongchang, said the news was a terrible blow for all those who knew the skater
Miss is the second death of an Australian Winter OIympian in 10 days as Alex Pullin (left), a two-time world champion snowboarder and three-time Olympian, drowned while spearfishing on July 8 on the Gold Coast north of Brisbane
Chesterman said: ‘Katia´s death is another blow to our winter sports community who are still reeling from our loss of `Chumpy’ Pullin.’
Geoff Lipshut, chief executive of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, said Alexandrovskaya has a special place in the country´s sports history.
He said: ‘Katia and Harley were Australia´s first figure skating world champions. She came to Australia to fulfill her sporting dreams.
‘The news today is so sad, my thoughts are with Katia´s family in Russia, Harley and the skating community in Australia.
‘I will remember Katia as a young person of great talent and remarkable potential.’
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
For confidential support call National Suicide Prevention Line, 1-800-273-8255.