The heartbreaking details surrounding the death of Olympic figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya have started to emerge.
Alexandrovskaya died in Moscow on Friday after falling from a sixth-floor window, according to her coach Andrei Khekalo. The 20-year-old, who represented Australia in the 2018 Winter Games, died in the fall, Khekalo told AFP. Alexandrovskaya left a note reading “Lyublyu (I love),” Russian media reported.
Alexandrovskaya had quit figure skating after missing a training session in January and being diagnosed with epilepsy, according to Khekalo. The coach also said she suffered from depression.
“I tried to get her to stay in sport at my own peril,” Khekalo said.
Alexandrovskaya, who was born in Russia, skated with Harley Windsor in pairs competitions and together won gold at the 2017 World Junior Championships. They went on to qualify for the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, where they placed 18th in the short program.
“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,” Windsor wrote in an Instagram post. “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.”