Olympian Mirai Nagasu is sharing her memories of the figure skaters who were on the American Airlines plane that crashed on Wednesday, Jan. 29, in Washington, D.C.
Nagasu, 31, a 2018 Olympic Games team event bronze medalist, is mourning the death of several of the passengers, including Spencer Lane, Christina Lane, Jinna Han, Jin Han, Everly Livingston, Alydia Livingston, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
“There are no words to express the depth of sorrow I feel,” Nagasu tells PEOPLE.
“The U.S. Championships unite generations of skaters, forming a close-knit community. My heart aches for the young skaters who went to Nationals, watched their idols, and left inspired—only to have their dreams shattered in an unimaginable tragedy,” she adds.
American Airlines flight 5342 that crashed into a military helicopter over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after departing from Wichita, Kan., the FAA said in an initial statement to PEOPLE.
The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, including 14 figure skaters, six of whom were members of The Skating Club of Boston. The U.S. Figure Skating team confirmed to PEOPLE on Thursday that several of its members were onboard the aircraft at the time of the crash.
“This loss feels especially personal because of my connection to some of the families,” Nagasu tells PEOPLE.
“Jinna [Han] was an incredibly talented skater who regularly interacted with my son, Taiga,” she says. Han and her mother, Jin, both died in the crash.
“Max [Naumov], with his parents [Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov] by his side, delivered a remarkable, medal-winning performance at Nationals, earning his place at the Four Continents Championships. To lose both of his parents overnight is a devastation beyond words,” she says. Max was not on the same flight as his parents, who were former pairs world champions representing Russia.
“Genia and Vadim were pioneers in the Tomorrow’s Champions program at the Skating Club of Boston, shaping the next generation of skaters,” Nagasu says of the late world champions. “Their students will grieve not just the loss of their coaches, but also the unwavering support and inspiration they provided.”
Nagasu also notes how the recent tragedy was similar to the one that impacted the U.S. figure skating team in February 1961.
“The impact of the 1961 crash that claimed the U.S. World Team was felt for generations, and this tragedy will be no different,” she says. “The figure skating community will grieve, and we will come together to honor and remember those we lost.”
At the time of the 1961 crash, the team was traveling to the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague when the plane crashed approaching Brussels. There were 72 people aboard, 18 of whom were team members and an additional 16 support figures, including family members, coaches and skating officials.
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Officials said Thursday, Jan. 30 they believe there are no survivors.
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