Russian figure skating World Champion couples Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were on board when the American Airlines flight collided with the Black Hawk Helicopter on Wednesday night near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Shishkova and Naumov, 1994 World Champions, 1995 silver, and 1993 bronze medalists, lived in the United States since 1998 to train young skaters.
These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, an official US Figure skating statement said.
Ludmila Velikova, who trained Shishkova and Naumov, during their formidable years told Reuters that 14 skaters and trainers were on board.
She was devasted by the loss but was relieved to learn that their son Maxim, who competed in Kansas, was not on the same plane.
“They were my favourite sports people. They were part of my first attempt at the world championships and became champions in 1994. They were talented and beautiful people,” said Velikova, visibly distraught.
“Apart from anything else they were my children. Zhenya (Shishkova) trained with me from the age of 11 and Vladik (Naumov) from age 14. They were like my own children. What’s happened is awful. The best people have been taken away from us.”
The skating community was left in a shock and is mourning the incident.
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