Former Australian Winter Olympian and junior pairs figure skating champion Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya has died in Moscow at the age of 20.
The Russian-born athlete gained Australian citizenship in 2016, and competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang with her skating partner Harley Windsor.
She and Windsor were national champions in pairs figure skating, and won the world junior title in the sport in 2017.
She retired from the sport in February of this year, after suffering several injuries.
The Australian Olympic Team paid tribute to the skater on Twitter, saying:
“Vale Ekaterina ‘Katia’ Alexandrovskaya, 2000 – 2020. We are deeply saddened by news of the passing of 2018 Winter Olympian Katia Alexandrovskaya. A quiet & humble athlete, incredibly determined to be the best she can be, Katia will be sorely missed.”
Vale Ekaterina ‘Katia’ Alexandrovskaya, 2000 – 2020
We are deeply saddened by news of the passing of 2018 Winter Olympian Katia Alexandrovskaya. A quiet & humble athlete, incredibly determined to be the best she can be, Katia will be sorely missed.
👉👉 https://t.co/qMQRypG7Uq pic.twitter.com/BomIbvWrn1
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 18, 2020
Windsor also paid tribute to his former partner on Instagram, saying:
“Words can not describe how I feel right now, I am devastated and sick to my core about the sad and sudden passing of Katia. The amount we had achieved during our partnership is something I can never forget and will always hold close to my heart. This news is something you can never prepare for. Rest In Peace Katia.”
