Tragic Mid-Air Collision Claims Lives of U.S. Figure Skaters Near Washington, D.C.
A flag is draped in a hall in Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. (Rod Long/Unsplash)
Several talented figure skaters from throughout the U.S. were among the tragic losses during Wednesday night’s aircraft crash in Washington, D.C.
Article by Ella Doda, Senior Political Correspondent
ARLINGTON, Va. - Following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas that took place January 20th-26th, several members of the figure skating community were tragically involved in the American Airlines Aircraft crash that occurred late Wednesday night. They were returning home from attending the National Development Camp after the championships, a three-day educational training program to accelerate exposure to High Performance Programs and Team U.S.A, according to US Figure Skating.
Douglas Zeghibe, CEO of The Skating Club of Boston, confirmed the death of six members of the Skating Club’s community during a press conference on Thursday, January 30. Among the victims were athletes Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, their mothers Christine Lane and Jin Han as well as club coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Shishkova and Naumov were two of the elite figure skaters of their time, winning the world championships representing Russia together in 1994 and competing twice in the Olympics. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also confirmed they were aboard Wednesday’s flight. Zeghibe, along with the rest of the Skating Club community, are heartbroken by the tragic news.
“Skating is a very close and tight knit community,” Zeghibe shared in the press conference Thursday, “we have lost family.” Prior to the championships in Wichita, the Skating Club of Boston came together to send their skaters off with well-wishes and messages on the tables in the arena. They have now been replaced with pictures of Lane, Han, Shishkova and Naumov following the crash.
Earlier today, the Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society made a statement on social media confirming they too have lost members of their club.
“We feel immense grief at the loss of so many talented skaters, their coaches and families,” they wrote.
Reports have now announced that among the victims were Everly and Alydia Livingston, members of the Philadelphia Skating Club, as well as their parents, one of the sister’s skating partners, and their coach.
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-D) confirmed that his constituent, Inna Volyanskaya, was aboard the American Airlines flight as well. Volyanskaya was a coach at the Washington Figure Skating Club and a former professional skater who competed for the Soviet Union. Washington Figure Skating Club shared a statement via social media expressing their devastation over the crash.
Talented figure skaters Edward Zhou, Franco Aparicio, Sean Kay and Angela Yang were also identified as passengers on board the flight.
Various news outlets have reported that Jon Maravilla, one of the figure skaters at the National Development Camp, was supposed to be on the flight to Washington, but missed it, because the airline didn’t allow his dog to board. This has now been reported as false. Maravilla was boarding a flight on Delta Airlines to Atlanta at the time, but later left the airport by car. However, he is saddened by the news of the passing of his friends.
Team U.S.A. and Sarah Hirshland, United States Olympic Committee CEO, posted a written statement on Thursday. The statement reads: “Today we join in mourning the profound loss of the passengers aboard Flight 5342 and all those impacted by this tragedy…These Olympic hopefuls represented the bright future of Team U.S.A., embodying the very essence of what it means to represent our country – perseverance, resilience, and hope.”
More updates to follow as information is provided. The country mourns the loss of incredibly talented athletes, dedicated to their craft and representing Team U.S.A, and the loss of family, friends and coaches. As Team U.S.A. wrote, “They will forever hold a cherished place in the Team U.S.A. family.”
This is a developing breaking news story. Additional updates will be posted as more information is released. American Airlines has asked, “If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.”