Tag: figure

  • Figure skating community mourns the loss of legend Dick Button in the wake of D.C. plane crash tragedy

    Figure skating community mourns the loss of legend Dick Button in the wake of D.C. plane crash tragedy

    The figure skating community experienced immense grief this week after 14 members of the community were tragically killed in a midair aircraft collision in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night. 

    Their loss came just a day before two-time Olympic gold medalist Dick Button, a pioneer in the sport who would also go on to have a legendary broadcasting career, died at 95. 

    FILE – Dick Button of Englewood, N.J., a North American men’s figure skating champion and winner of the European title, executes a jump during a practice session at St. Moritz, Switzerland, on Jan. 19, 1948, in preparation for the Winter Olympics of 1948.  (AP Photo, File)

    “On this terrible, sad day for figure skating with the loss of young upcoming talent and their family members and coaches in the plane crash, I am further heartbroken with the loss of figure skating legend, my friend, Dick Button,” Brian Boitano, who won a gold medal in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, wrote in a post on social media. 

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    “RIP, Dick Button,” former American sports reporter Michele Tafoya said in another post. 

    “I like to think you went to heaven in time to welcome the young skaters and coaches who perished in Wednesday’s tragedy. May you all glide among the stars together.” 

    Everly and Alydia Livingston were killed in a plane crash between an American Airlines flight and Army helicopter

    Everly and Alydia Livingston were killed in a plane crash between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. All 67 people onboard both aircraft are presumed dead.   (Instagram/@ice_skating_sisters)

    A winner of two Olympic gold medals, five consecutive world championships, seven straight U.S. titles, and three-straight North American titles, Button was one of the most accomplished men’s figure skaters. 

    OLYMPIC MEDALIST SCOTT HAMILTON RECALLS FINAL MEETING WITH CHAMPION RUSSIAN SKATERS DAYS BEFORE PLANE CRASH

    He was the first to land a double axel and triple jump in competition, both leading to victory at the Olympics. After his skating career ended, Button would enter the world of broadcasting, eventually earning the name “The Voice of Figure Skating.”

    Button died Thursday in North Salem, New York, his family confirmed Thursday.

    “U.S. Figure Skating mourns the loss of the legendary Dick Button,” the organization said in a statement. “The two-time Olympic champion’s pioneering style & award-winning television commentary revolutionized figure skating. His legacy will live on forever. We extend our deepest condolences to his family & loved ones.”

    Dick Button skating

    FILE – Dick Button, of Englewood, N.J., the reigning figure skating champion of the world, is shown tuning up at Oslo to defend his Olympic title in the Winter Games. He is performing a stag jump on Feb. 12, 1952 in Oslo, Norway.  (AP Images)

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    Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton spoke about Wednesday’s tragedy and loss of Button, a good friend, in an appearance on TODAY Friday. 

    Hamilton was in Wichita, Kansas, at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and was familiar with some of the victims in Wednesday’s crash, including world champion pairs skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

    “It’s just been beyond anything I can handle,” a tearful Hamilton said of the losses. 

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  • Young figure skating sisters from Virginia among victims killed in DC plane crash

    Young figure skating sisters from Virginia among victims killed in DC plane crash

    Alydia and Everly Livingston, who were known as the “Ice Skating Sisters,” were identified as victims of the deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C., that claimed the lives of 67 people when an American Airlines plane collided with an Army helicopter Wednesday night. 

    Eleven-year-old Alydia and 14-year-old Everly, were killed in the crash along with their parents, Peter and Donna Livingston.

    Everly and Alydia Livingston were killed in a crash involving an American Airlines plane and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Jan., 29, 2025. All 67 people aboard the two aircraft are presumed dead.   (Facebook/Peter Livingston)

    The girls were members of the Washington Figure Skating Club in D.C., which is affiliated with U.S. Figure Skating.

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    The club released a joint statement with the Skating Club of Northern Virginia after several of the victims were linked to the clubs.

    “This heartbreaking accident has shaken the local skating community in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia — as well as in Boston and across the nation. Our hearts go out to families, friends, and loved ones mourning this unimaginable grief.

    Everly and Alydia Livingston were killed in a plane crash between an American Airlines flight and Army helicopter

    Everly and Alydia Livingston were killed in a crash involving an American Airlines plane and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. All 67 people aboard the two aircraft are presumed dead.   (Instagram/@ice_skating_sisters)

    WIFE OF DELAWARE SKATING COACH KILLED IN DC PLANE CRASH LEFT DEVASTATED BY TRAGEDY: ‘I LOST EVERYTHING’

    “As we continue to process this tragedy, we honor the memories of those who we have lost — their passion for the sport, the friendships they cultivated, and the joy they brought to the ice. Their presence at our rinks and in our community is deeply felt, and their absence is indescribable.”

    In a tribute posted to The Skating Lesson Facebook page, Alydia was described as having a “vivacious personality” and a true passion for the sport. Her older sister, Everly, was said to be more “shy,” but that changed when she was on the ice. 

    Donna Smojice Livingston was killed in a plane crash between an American Airlines flight and Army helicopter

    Donna Smojice Livingston was killed in the crash involving an American Airlines plane and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. All 67 people aboard the two aircraft are presumed dead.  (Facebook/Donna Smojice Livingston)

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    In a final post shared to the girls’ joint Instagram, the sisters posed for a picture at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, which concluded Sunday. According to a statement from U.S. Figure Skating, several of its members were aboard the American Airlines flight after a development camp held after the championships. 

    Peter Livingston was killed in a plane crash between an American Airlines flight and Army helicopter

    Peter Livingston was killed in a crash involving an American Airlines plane and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. All 67 people aboard the two aircraft are presumed dead.  (Facebook/Peter Livingston)

    Several victims have been identified in the days since the accident. Officials say 14 of the 67 victims belonged to the skating community. 

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  • Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding calls loss in airline collision ‘absolutely devastating’

    Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding calls loss in airline collision ‘absolutely devastating’

    Two-time U.S. Olympian Tonya Harding joined many others in the figure skating community to speak out after it was revealed that several members of U.S. Figure Skating were among the victims feared dead following an American Airlines collision with an Army helicopter late Wednesday night. 

    Harding, who had joined X just a day earlier, posted a message in response to the “devastating” news that 67 people on board American Airlines Flight 5342 and a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter were killed during a collision near Reagan Washington National Airport, near D.C., at around 9 p.m. local time. 

    Figure Skater Tonya Harding of the United States competes in a figure skating competition circa 1992. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) (Focus on Sport)

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    “The events that took place last night in Washington, DC are absolutely devastating,” Harding’s post read.  

    “I’m being told that several professional figure skaters were aboard the flight as well. Sending my love and prayers to all the victims and their families.” 

    First responders recovered at least 28 bodies from the icy waters of the Potomac River on Thursday. Officials said there were 64 people on board the commercial flight, including four crew members. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.  

    FIGURE SKATING COMMUNITY MOURNS VICTIMS OF DEADLY PLANE CRASH COLLISION: ‘AT A LOSS FOR WORDS’ 

    A US Park Police helicopter flies over the Potomac River

    A U.S. Park Police helicopter flies over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va.   (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

    “We don’t believe there are any survivors,” John Donnelly, the fire chief in the nation’s capital said. “We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.”

    U.S. Figure Skating released a statement confirming that “several members of our skating community” were aboard the flight. The organization said they were returning home from a development camp being held after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, which concluded on Sunday. 

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    Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding avoiding one another on the ice

    FILE – U.S. figure skaters Tonya Harding (L) and Nancy Kerrigan avoid each other during a training session in Hamar, Norway, during the 1994 Winter Olympics.  (Vincent Amalvy/AFP via Getty Images)

    Harding’s post comes a day after she joined the popular social media platform, a move that was met by some controversy. Harding’s career was notably marred by her connection to the 1994 attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, which was plotted by Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly. 

    The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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  • 6 with ties to Boston figure skating club killed in midair collision, official says

    6 with ties to Boston figure skating club killed in midair collision, official says

    The American figure skating community suffered severe losses on Wednesday night as six people with ties to the Skating Club of Boston were on board a passenger plane when it collided with a U.S. Army helicopter.

    Officials said Thursday there were no survivors of the crash and that the mission went from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. Nearly 30 bodies were pulled from the Potomac River.

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    A U.S. Park Police helicopter flies over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

    The Skating Club of Boston CEO Doug Zeghibe identified those with ties to the club as athletes, Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, two coaches, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, and Jin Han, the mother of Jinna, and Molly Lane, the mother of Spencer, were identified as the victims with ties to the skate club.

    “Our sport and this Club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy,” Zeghibe said in a statement posted to social media. “Skating is a tight-knit community where parents and kids come together 6 of 7 days a week to train and work together. Everyone is like family. Of the skaters, coaches and parents on the plane, we believe six were from The Skating Club of Boston. We are devastated and completely at a loss for words.

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    Rescuers work on the Potomac River in Washington DC after a tragic plane crash

    Bodies lie on the ground next to emergency vehicles, near the site of the crash after American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed into the Potomac River, outside of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

    “These athletes, coaches, parents were returning from U.S. Figure Skating’s National Development Camp, following last week’s U.S. Championships in Wichita. This camp is for young competitive skaters of tomorrow with the promise to be a champion of tomorrow. The club sent 18 athletes to compete at the U.S. Championships. It sent 12 athletes to the National Development Camp.”

    Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, confirmed earlier Thursday that Naumov and Shishkova were among those on board the plane.

    Naumov and Shishkova competed in pairs during their careers. They won a pairs title at the 1994 world championships and competed at the Winter Olympics twice.

    U.S. Figure Skating said there were members of its organization on board as well.

    “U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.,” the organization said earlier Thursday. “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.

    “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”

    The International Skating Union said it was “deeply shocked” over the incident.

    Rescuers work on the Potomac River in Washington DC after a tragic plane crash

    Rescuers on boats work as the sun rises at the site of the crash after a Black Hawk helicopter collided with American Eagle Flight 5342, which was approaching Reagan Washington National Airport, and crashed into the Potomac River, outside Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

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    “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is more than a sport — it’s a close-knit family — and we stand together,” the organization said.

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  • American figure skater sets record straight on viral rumor amid airline tragedy

    American figure skater sets record straight on viral rumor amid airline tragedy

    American figure skater Jon Maravilla set the record straight on a story that went viral amid the airline disaster that occurred near Reagan International Airport on Wednesday night.

    Maravilla told The Daily Beast in an interview on Thursday he was denied from his flight because of his dog but he was set to fly out of Detroit and not Wichita, Kansas, where the doomed flight originated from. Media reports from Russia originally claimed he was supposed to be on the plane, pointing to Instagram posts from his personal account.

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    He told the outlet it was unclear where the reports came from but he was heartbroken over the fate of some of his friends.

    “I still can’t believe it,” he told the outlet. “I was just with them watching them have lots of fun and just enjoying their time.”

    He added that he was in a parking lot when he started to learn the flight that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter had originated from Wichita.

    Officials said Thursday there were no survivors of the crash and that the mission went from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. Nearly 30 bodies were pulled from the Potomac River.

    LIVE UPDATES: MILITARY HELICOPTER COLLIDES WITH AIRCRAFT NEAR REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT

    At least six of those who died in the crash had ties to the Skating Club of Boston.

    The Skating Club of Boston CEO Doug Zeghibe identified those with ties to the club as athletes, Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, two coaches, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, and Jin Han, the mother of Jinna, and Molly Lane, the mother of Spencer, were identified as the victims with ties to the skate club.

    “Our sport and this Club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy,” Zeghibe said in a statement posted to social media. “Skating is a tight-knit community where parents and kids come together 6 of 7 days a week to train and work together. Everyone is like family. Of the skaters, coaches and parents on the plane, we believe six were from The Skating Club of Boston. We are devastated and completely at a loss for words.

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    “These athletes, coaches, parents were returning from U.S. Figure Skating’s National Development Camp, following last week’s U.S. Championships in Wichita. This camp is for young competitive skaters of tomorrow with the promise to be a champion of tomorrow. The club sent 18 athletes to compete at the U.S. Championships. It sent 12 athletes to the National Development Camp.”

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  • Figure skating community mourns victims of deadly plane crash collision: ‘At a loss for words’ 

    Figure skating community mourns victims of deadly plane crash collision: ‘At a loss for words’ 

    Members of the figure skating community have spoken out after an American Airlines flight tragically collided with an Army helicopter late Wednesday night in Washington, D.C., leaving all 67 on board both aircraft presumably dead. 

    U.S. Figure Skating released a statement confirming that “several members of our skating community” were aboard the flight. The organization said they were returning home from a development camp being held after the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas, which concluded on Sunday. 

    “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.” 

    A U.S. Park Police helicopter flies over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

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    Wichita Mayor Lily Wu did not confirm how many members of U.S. Figure Skating were on board Flight 5342 during a press conference on Thursday morning. 

    “It was truly an honor to have future Olympians and those who are at the highest competition level of figure skating, right here in our capital,” she said. 

    “We were so excited to have the opportunity to host the national championship, and even yesterday I had folks tell me how wonderful these last few days have been with additional individuals that came into our community, whether to watch or to participate. So our community was really excited and thankful that everything went well with the championship. And so right now we’re just waiting for more information from U.S. Figure Skating that we can release. But right now we’re just hoping and praying again.” 

    A U.S. flag flies, as search and rescue teams work, in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 30, 2025.

    A U.S. flag flies, as search and rescue teams work, in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 30, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

    First responders switched to recovery efforts in the Potomac River after it was believed that there were no survivors. There were 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the flight and three soldiers aboard the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

    AMERICAN FIGURE SKATER SAYS HE WAS BARRED FROM FLIGHT THAT COLLIDED WITH ARMY HELICOPTER

    “This is heartbreaking,” Team USA figure skater Josphine Lee wrote in a post to her Instagram Stories. “My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone on the flight, including the skaters, coaches, and parents.” 

    Josephine Lee competes

    U.S. figure skater Josephine Lee called the deadly plane collision in Washington, D.C., “heartbreaking” in a post on social media. (William Purnell-Imagn Images)

    Team USA pair skater Luke Wang shared a similar sentiment in a post on X. 

    “Praying for all those on the flight from wichita to dc. Among the passengers were skaters and coaches. Absolutely heartbreaking.”

    Several other Team U.S. figure skaters also took to social media.                     

    “Words cannot fathom the fear and sadness I feel from this event,” reigning pairs U.S. junior champion Hana Maria Aboian said early Thursday morning. “It is absolutely terrible and I pray for all the athletes, coaches, and everyone onboard to be safe and healthy.”

    “I am at a loss for words… I can’t even explain how devastated I feel for the loss of amazing people that were on this flight. I’m sending prayers to their families and the figure skating community,” Starr Andrews said. 

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    Starr Andrews performs

    U.S. figure skater Starr Andrews mourned the tragic loss in a post on social media, adding that she was “at a loss for words.” All 67 people onboard the flight and helicopter are presumed dead. (Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports)

    The International Skating Union also released a statement. 

    “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is more than a sport—it’s a close-knit family—and we stand together. We remain in close contact with U.S. Figure Skating and offer our full support during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement read in part. 

    Two former Olympians, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were also believed to be among the victims of the plane crash, the Kremlin confirmed. 

    The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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  • American figure skater’s eerie social media post sparks concern after plane collides with Army helicopter

    American figure skater’s eerie social media post sparks concern after plane collides with Army helicopter

    An American figure skater’s social media post sparked concern about his whereabouts as it appeared he was on the plane that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter on Wednesday night.

    Spencer Lane posted a photo on his Instagram while the American Airlines flight was on the runway at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. The plane appeared to be waiting to take off for Reagan International Airport near Washington, D.C.

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    A boat works the scene near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

    “ICT (to) DCA,” the post on his Instagram Stories read.

    Lane did not post anything else after that. Another post on his Instagram Stories showed him warming up with Kohaku Murai. He had also shared a collage of pictures with other team members who were in Wichita, Kansas.

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    Mid-Air Collision At DC's Reagan Airport Suspends All Flights

    Onlookers watch as emergency crews respond to the crash site near the Potomac River after a passenger jet collided with a helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Alex Wroblewski/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

    U.S. Figure Skating said earlier Thursday that athletes, coaches and family members involved with its organization were on board the flight.

    “U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.,” the organization said. “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

    “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”

    Rescuers work on the Potomac River in Washington DC after a tragic plane crash

    Emergency vehicles stage at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, Jan. 29, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (Kevin Wolf/AP)

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    Officials said Thursday they didn’t think there were any survivors.

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  • American figure skater sets record straight on viral rumor amid airline tragedy

    American figure skater says he was barred from flight that collided with Army helicopter

    An American figure skater was barred from the American Airlines flight that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter near Reagan International Airport on Thursday night.

    Jon Maravilla told Russia’s Sputnik he was not allowed on the flight because his dog was too big to board. He said he ultimately decided to make the 14-hour drive back from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C. He also mentioned the issue on his personal Instagram account.

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    Rescue workers respond to the scene on the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

    “Not allowed past gate to board flight,” he wrote in one post. “Get me tf out of Kansas please.”

    He added, “14 hour journey begins.”

    Maravilla told RIA Novosti that there were “about 14 figure skaters on the plane, not counting their parents and coaches,” according to The New York Times.

    LIVE UPDATES: MILITARY HELICOPTER COLLIDES WITH AIRCRAFT NEAR REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT

    Rescuers work on the Potomac River in Washington DC after a tragic plane crash

    Emergency lights are reflected in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (Alex Brandon)

    “Such a tragedy,” he added.

    At least 60 people were aboard the American Airlines flight.

    U.S. Figure Skating did not confirm the number of members of its organization on the plane.

    “U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.,” the organization said. “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.

    American Eagle flight 5342 crashes in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

    Emergency service vehicles stand near the site of the crash after American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with a helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed in the Potomac River, outside Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2025. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

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    “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”

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  • World champion Russian figure skaters aboard flight involved in midair collision, Kremlin says

    World champion Russian figure skaters aboard flight involved in midair collision, Kremlin says

    Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were a Russian figure skating pair who competed in multiple Olympic Games and medaled in multiple world championships.

    The Kremlin said Thursday the figure skating stars were among those aboard an American Airlines flight that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter near Reagan International Airport on Wednesday night.

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    Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were killed in a plane crash, the Kremlin said. (Reuters)

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Shishkova and Naumov were on the plane.

    “Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed. 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,” he said.

    It was Naumov’s coach who introduced the pair in 1985, wanting them to work together despite Naumov rebuffing the idea at first. They began to work together in 1987 and competed and won bronze in the 1991 European Championships while representing the former Soviet Union. The pair would go on to win two more bronze and silver medals in the event.

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    Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov win silver

    From left to right, in pairs are silver medalists Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov of Russia, gold medalists Radka Kovarikova and Rene Novotny of the Czech Republic, and bronze medalists Jenni Meno and Todd Sand of the United States. (Reuters)

    Shishkova and Naumov earned accolades on the world stage as well. At the 1993 World Championships, the two earned a bronze medal. The following year in Chiba, Japan, the two picked up their first gold medal. They finished with a silver in 1995 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

    The pair competed in the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France, and the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. They finished in fifth in 1992 and fourth in 1994.

    Shishkova and Naumov married in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1995, and they moved to Connecticut. They had a son, Maxim, who competed in men’s singles in the U.S.

    Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov in Japan

    German runner-ups in the pairs Mandy Wotzel, left, and Ingo Steuer (2nd L) with winners Evgenia Shishkova, right, and Vadim Naumov wave to fans in the awarding ceremony of the NHK Trophy Figure Skating Grand Prix in Nagoya, Japan. (Reuters)

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    The Russian pair were listed as professional pairs coaches on the Skating Club of Boston’s website.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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  • 6 with ties to Boston figure skating club killed in midair collision, official says

    American figure skating members, Russian Olympians aboard plane in Reagan National Airport crash

    U.S. and Russian figure skaters were on board an American Airlines flight that collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.

    U.S. Figure Skating said athletes, coaches and family members were returning home from a camp held in Wichita, Kansas.

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    Bodies lie on the ground next to emergency vehicles, near the site of the crash after American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed into the Potomac River, outside Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

    “U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.,” the organization said. “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

    “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”

    LIVE UPDATES: MILITARY HELICOPTER COLLIDES WITH AIRCRAFT NEAR REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT

    Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who won a pairs title at the 1994 world championships and competed at the Winter Olympics twice, were on board the plane as well, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

    “Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed. 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,” he said.

    The International Skating Union said it was “deeply shocked” over the incident.

    Rescuers work on the Potomac River in Washington DC after a tragic plane crash

    Emergency vehicles stage at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, Jan. 29, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. (Kevin Wolf/AP)

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    “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is more than a sport — it’s a close-knit family — and we stand together,” the organization said.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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