Australian Winter Olympic Games skater dead at 20
The Australian Olympic Committee has confirmed the death of former world junior pairs figure skating champion Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya in Moscow. The cause of the 20-year-old Alexandrovskaya's death on Friday has not yet been disclosed. She was born in Russia, but in 2016 obtained Australian citizenship and competed for her adopted country at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics with skating partner Harley Windsor. The pair won the 2017 world junior title. Alexandrovskaya retired from the sport in February after sustaining several injuries. READ MORE: * World champion speed skater Lara Van Ruijven dead at 27 * Olympic snowboarder Alex Pullin dead at 32 after spearfishing accident * Usain Bolt reveals what his coach really thought of his iconic showmanship * IOC 'fully committed' to Olympics Games held in Tokyo in 2021 Windsor, Australi a's first Indigenous athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics, said he was devastated by the news of Alexandrovskaya's death. The amount we had achieved during our partnership is something I can never forget and will always hold close to my heart, he said in an Instagram post. Ian Chesterman, chef de mission for the Australian team in Pyeongchang, said the news was a terrible blow for all those who knew the skater. It is enormously sad to lose Katia, who was a vibrant and talented person and an incredible athlete," Chesterman said. 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." It is the second death of an Australian Winter OIympian in 10 days. Alex Pullin, a two-time world champion snowboarder and three-time Olympian, drowned while spearfishing on July 8 on the Gold Coast north of Brisbane. Katias death is another blow to our winter sports community who are still reeling from our loss of Chumpy' Pullin," Chesterman said. Geoff Lipshut, chief executive of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, said Alexandrovskaya has a special place in the countrys sports history. Katia and Harley were Australias first figure skating world champions," Lipshut said. She came to Australia to fulfill her sporting dreams. The news today is so sad, my thoughts are with Katias family in Russia, Harley and the skating community in Australia. I will remember Katia as a young person of great talent and remarkable potential." AAP