Australian 2018 Winter Olympic figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya found dead in Moscow
Still reeling from the loss of Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin, Australia‘s Winter Olympians have been hit with another blow after figure skater Ekaterina (Katia) Alexandrovskaya died in Moscow.
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Australia has lost another young Winter Olympian just days after the death of Alex “Chumpy” Pullin.
Figure skater Ekaterina (Katia) Alexandrovskaya - who performed at the 2018 Games in PyeongChang - has been found dead in Russia. She was aged 20.
Russian law enforcement agencies reported Alexandrovskaya’s body was found near her house in Moscow, where she was born and settled again after retiring from the sport.
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She left behind a note saying “I love” and investigators did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances.
Katia was twice Australian national champion in pairs figure skating with her partner and Australia’s first Indigenous Winter Olympian, Harley Windsor.
The pair represented Australia two years ago, placing 18th.
“We are all deeply saddened to hear the news today,” Australian chef de mission Ian Chesterman said.
“Life since the Games has not been easy for her and this is another timely reminder of just how fragile life is.
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“Katia’s death is another blow to our winter sports community, who is still reeling from our loss of Chumpy Pullin.
“But we are a close-knit community that will continue to offer support to each other at this incredibly sad time.
A classically trained pairs specialist, Alexandrovskaya was introduced to Windsor in 2015 when the Australian went to Russia searching for a partner because he couldn’t find the right one at home.
The pair immediately hit it off and Alexandrovskaya agreed to give up her dream of competing for Russia for the chance of representing Australia.
A former junior world champion, she was granted citizenship in 2017 and competed for her adopted country in South Korea in 2018.
“Katia and Harley were Australia’s first figure-skating world champion,” Olympic Winter Institute of Australia CEO Geoff Lipshut said.
“She came to Australia to fulfil her sporting dreams.
“With Harley, they were world junior champions and world junior grand prix champions in 2017 and then proud members of the 2018 Australian Olympic team in Korea, 2018.
“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.”
For crisis support, contact Lifeline at lifeline.org.au or 13 11 14, and Beyond Blue at beyondblue.org.au and 1300 22 4636.