Dancing on Ice contestant Sir Steve Redgrave has paid tribute to members of the figure skating community who lost their lives in the tragic Washington DC plane crash.
The Olympic champion shared his condolences during an interview on Friday, where he touched on the horrific incident which took place in the US this week.
The heartfelt tribute came as the skating competition’s team mourned the loss of fellow athletes and coaches in the devastating crash.
The crash claimed the lives of up to 14 members of the figure skating community, along with the aircraft’s crew.
Among those who perished were promising young skaters who were in the early stages of their careers.
The incident has particularly resonated within the professional skating world, as several of the victims had connections to the current Dancing on Ice community.
Dancing on Ice star Steve Redgrave paid tribute to the victims of the US crash
ITV
Some of the deceased coaches and champions had previously competed against current Dancing on Ice coaches during their competitive years.
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, Sir Steve Redgrave said: “Condolences from the whole skating on ice team. On that flight, there were a number of young skaters who were just starting their careers, around 15.”
The Dancing on Ice star highlighted the close connections within the skating community.
“Some of our pro skaters have commentated them in competitions, and some of the coaches, some of the coaches, some were champions. Some of our coaches skated against them in their youth,” he added.
Steve Redgrave is currently competing in ITV’s Dancing on Ice
ITV
The tribute underscored the profound impact the tragedy has had on the international skating community.
The loss has particularly affected those involved with Dancing on Ice, as many of the show’s professional skaters had personal connections to those aboard the flight.
Speaking to the nation on Thursday, President Donald Trump blamed the tragedy on a diversity push.
The 47th President commented: “We have to have our smartest people. It doesn’t matter what they look like, how they speak, who they are. What matters is intellect, talent.
“The word talent. You have to be talented, naturally talented geniuses. You can’t have regular people doing that job. They won’t be able to do it.
“But we’ll restore faith in American air travel. I’ll have more to say about that. The FAA’s diversity push includes a focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.
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The passenger aircraft collided with a helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport this week
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“That is amazing. FAA says people with severe disabilities are the most under represented section of the workforce.
“They want them in so they can be air traffic controllers. I don’t think so. That was one week before I entered office. They did a big push to put diversity into the programme.
He continued: “Can you imagine? These are people lives are shortened because of the stress that they have. Brilliant people have to be in those positions.
“Lives are shortened because of the stress when they have many planes coming into one target. You need a special talent and genius to be able to do it.”