Tag: mourns

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 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.

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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.”

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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February 1, 2025
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. (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.

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“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.”

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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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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January 30, 2025