The artistic skaters of the United States and Russia were among the 64 people aboard the commercial plane that crashed in the air with an army helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River on Wednesday night outside Washington.
The artistic skating of the United States, the US governing body for sports, said the skaters returned from a training camp for the best youth skaters, intermediates and rookies that follow the National Artistic Skating Championship, which were held in Wichita , Kan., During the weekend. The Russian figurative skaters, as well as other Russian citizens, were among those of the plane, said Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov.
“We are devastated by this indescribable tragedy and keep close to the families of the victims in our hearts,” said Alex Schauffler’s statement, communications director for artistic skating. As of Thursday, deaths had not been confirmed.
Jon Maravilla, a figurative skater of American couples, told Ria Novosti, a Russian state news agency, that there were “about 14 figures of figures on the plane, not counting their parents and coaches.”
“Such a tragedy,” Wonder said, added that he didn’t want to give his names. The skating of US figures did not confirm the number of its members on board and did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
Russian state news agencies also reported that three old sighers from Russia figures were on the plane.
The National Championships of the United States are held annually in different cities of the country. Before competition, skaters must compete in classification rounds in regional competitions. The American artistic skating was founded in 1921 and is based in Colorado Springs. It includes amateur and professional skating clubs and has almost 900 member clubs.
“We are disconsolate when learning that the figures, along with their families, friends and coaches, is understood among those on board,” said the international skating union in a statement. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy. Artistic skating is more than a sport, it is a very united family, and we join together. “
Tariq Panja and Nicholas Bogel-Buroughs Contributed reports.
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