Olympics star dies aged 20 after 'falling from window'
Sports
By
Mirror
| Jul 20, 2020
Olympic figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya has died aged 20 after reportedly falling out of a window.
Russian-born Alexandrovskaya represented Australia at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
The cause of the death has yet to be confirmed but reports claim she "died on the spot" following the incident in Moscow.
Alexandrovskaya retired from the sport earlier this year due to injury.
Tributes have poured in for the athlete, a two-time Australian National Champion pair-skating with partner Harley Windsor.
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Windsor, 23, posted a heartbreaking message on social media.
He wrote: “Words cannot 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.”
Australia's chef de mission in Pyeongchang Ian Chesterman said: "It is enormously sad to lose Katia, who was a vibrant and talented person and an incredible athlete.
"She was quiet and humble in her manner but incredibly determined to be the best she could be.
"Life since the Games has not been easy for her and this is another timely reminder of just how fragile life is."
Alexandrovskaya and Windsor were the first Australian pair-skaters to compete at the Olympics for a decade.
However, they finished 18th and narrowly missed the cut to progress to the next stage.
Chief executive of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia Geoff Lipshut added: "Katia and Harley were Australia's first figure skating world champions.
"She came to Australia to fulfil her sporting dreams.
"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."