(CNN) — Little greater than a month after a tragic air disaster took the lives of 28 members of the US figure skating community, feelings had been on full show Sunday in Washington, DC, for the “Legacy on Ice” tribute.
Co-hosted by Olympic champions Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi, “Legacy on Ice” was described as “a journey via historical past, resilience and remembrance.”
The occasion comes within the wake of the January 29 airplane crash that claimed the lives of 67 individuals – all these aboard American Airways flight 5342 and the three troopers aboard a US Military Black Hawk helicopter – after a midair collision over the Potomac River.
Among the many useless had been 11 younger determine skaters, 4 coaches and 13 members of the family who had attended the US Determine Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
Probably the most emotional second of the day got here as Max Naumov, whose dad and mom Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov died on January 29, collapsed to his knees and sobbed uncontrollably after he skated to certainly one of their favourite songs. Naumov had completed in fourth place on the nationwide championships simply days earlier than the tragedy.
Sunday’s two-hour occasion featured a few of determine skating’s greatest names, each present and former skating champions, in addition to transferring tributes to the legacies of these misplaced.
After recording artist Hayes Warner opened this system with a efficiency of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” Boitano and Yamaguchi addressed the group at Capital One Enviornment.
“As skaters, we now have realized to be resilient and to all the time discover a path ahead that’s optimistic,” Boitano stated.
“It is a option to give again,” Yamaguchi added. “We’re elevating funds to assist the victims’ households, the primary responders on this neighborhood and US Determine Skating to make sure the legacies of these we misplaced will keep on. They won’t be forgotten.”
Amber Glenn, winner of the 2024 Grand Prix Remaining gold medal, was the primary skater to take to the ice.
After laying a single white rose on a desk adorned with white candles, she skated a poignant routine to “Rise Up” by Andra Day. When she completed, the 2025 US nationwide champion wiped tears from her eyes as she took her bows.
With the emotional tenor of the day established, Glenn’s efficiency was adopted by routines from the likes of three-time US champion Johnny Weir, reigning world silver medalist Isabeau Levito, 2022 Olympic workforce gold medal ice dancing duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates, 2024 World Champion Ilia Malinin and others.
As roses crammed the candlelit desk, audio system shared their recollections of the skaters and coaches that perished within the tragic crash.
Representatives from the DC’s skilled sports activities neighborhood — MLB’s Nationals, NFL’s Commanders, WNBA’s Mystics, NHL’s Capitals, NWSL’s Washington Spirit and DC United of the MLS — had been available to point out their assist.
The Capitals, whose house enviornment performed host to the occasion, wore helmet decals of their recreation Saturday in assist of the determine skating neighborhood and all these affected by the tragedy.
“Via the artistry of determine skating and the facility of music, we honor these misplaced the primary responders, and all who had been impacted,” Legacy on Ice organizers stated.
“This occasion traces the triumphs and heartbreaks of U.S. determine skating, connecting previous and current to have fun a sport and a neighborhood that has overcome adversity earlier than and stands collectively as soon as once more.
“This isn’t only for the skating world — it’s for all of us. A second to recollect, to heal, and to make sure that legacies stay on via the tales we share and the lives we honor.”
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