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November 21, 1995

From Komsomoskaya Pravda (Russia):

THE HEART OF FIGURE SKATER SERGEI GRINKOV BURST RIGHT AT THE RINK

by Nikolaj Dolgopolov
translated by Olya Smolyanova

Frightening, unbelievable news came from America today. During a routine practice session, one of Russia's favorite athletes died of a heart attack.

We have been trying to get through to the skating rink in Lake Placid where this tragedy happened. Natalia Dubova, the famous coach of so many great figure skaters, picked up the phone.

"It's difficult for me to talk. Everything is so terrible, so unexpected. Sergei and Katia were training in the morning. They were getting ready to the season opening of IMG's show. Working on the lifts. It's a difficult element which requires a lot of strength from the male partner, and a lot of concentration and determination from the female. Sergei and Katia has always had that in abundance... Suddenly, Sergei felt really bad. He lowered himself to the ice. Somebody called 911 right away " everyone thought that he was having a heart attack. Seryozha was taken to the hospital, I soon arrived there as well. Poor Katia Gordeeva was already there. The doctors came out and announced that he had died. Not even in the hospital " but back at the rink! Despite all their efforts, they lost him. My God! Only 28 years old! Katia was taking the skates off his dead body!"

"Natasha, wait, don't cry. We, the writers and readers of Komsomolka, are grieving together with you. What has really happened?"

"I was told that the autopsy will take place tomorrow so we will know for sure. Right now people are saying that his heart just burst."

"How is Katia?"

"She is in a terrible condition. There are a lot of skaters here in Lake Placid " Yamaguchi, our skaters. Everyone is in shock, everyone is in panic. They all loved them. There has never been a pair like that in figure skating."

"Do you know when and where the funeral will be held?"

"Seryozha, Katia and their little daughter lived in Connecticut the last few years. I think the plan is to take his body to New York, and then to his home in Moscow where he will be buried. We have already talked to the Olympic Committee and its Russian representative Vitaly Smirnoff, to the Federation and Sasha Gorshkov. God, why did He want to punish good people? Good-bye, dear Seryozha!"