36 hours. Two devastating losses. USA Figure Skating is really going through the wringer. The jinx began when 14 athletes and coaches from the fraternity lost their lives as Flight 5342 collided with a US Army helicopter on Thursday. Within seconds, the serene Potomac River lost its charm. It was now a heartbreaking accident spot where pieces of the blown machines and lives sunk silently. But, while the world was just reeling from that, another blow landed, throwing us off the balance.
Amidst that tragic loss, another piece of news follows. A voice familiar to American fans, from a man whose insights shaped figure skating broadcasts for generations is now gone. Yes, his loss along with those 14 promising athletes and coaches who were returning from a national development camp after the U.S. Championships in Wichita have made the end of January a truly dark time in the history of the sport.
On January 29, 2X Olympic Champion Dick Button passed away at 95, leaving the figure skating world in mourning. At just 16, he became the youngest U.S. men’s champion. Just two years later, he made history as the youngest American man to win Olympic gold in 1948. Also, Button was known to be the great voice of figure skating, for he wasn’t just an ace skater but an award-winning television commentator.
Who says his accolades end here? Button successfully defended his Olympic title in 1952 and went on to become the only U.S. figure skater to win two Olympic gold medals. Let that sink in! No wonder his passing, paired with the devastating mid-air accident, has left figure skating fans shattered, one of whom commented, “Oof! What a horrible 24 hours for U.S. Figure Skating. He was a true trailblazer and the best figure skating broadcaster/analyst ever! A true legend. ”
U.S. Figure Skating mourns the loss of the legendary Dick Button. The two-time Olympic champion’s pioneering style & award-winning television commentary revolutionized figure skating. His legacy will live on forever. We extend our deepest condolences to his family & loved ones.
— U.S. Figure Skating (@USFigureSkating) January 31, 2025
This story is developing…
The post Fans Grieve As Another Blow To Figure Skating Team As They Mourn the Loss of Legend at 95 appeared first on EssentiallySports.