Katia was twice Australian national champion in pairs figure skating with her partner and Australia’s first Indigenous Winter Olympian, Harley Windsor. The pair represented Australia at PyeongChang 2018, placing 18th.
Chef de Mission for the 2018 Australian Team in PyeongChang, Ian Chesterman, says the news is a terrible blow for all those who knew Katia, who was a popular member of the Australian Team in South Korea in 2018.
“It is enormously sad to lose Katia who was a vibrant and talented person and an incredible athlete.
“She was quiet and humble in her manner but incredibly determined to be the best she could be.
“Katia was an important member of our Team in PyeongChang, who loved the opportunity to compete with Harley and embraced her time in the Australian Olympic Team.
“We are all deeply saddened to hear the news today. Life since the Games has not been easy for her and this is another timely reminder of just how fragile life is.
“Katia’s death is another blow to our winter sports community who is still reeling from our loss of Chumpy Pullin.
“But we are a close-knit community that will continue to offer support to each other at this incredibly sad time."
Olympic Winter Institute of Australia CEO Geoff Lipshut says Katia has a special place in Australia’s winter sport history.
“Katia and Harley were Australia’s first figure skating World Champions. She came to Australia to fulfill her sporting dreams.
“With Harley, they were World Junior Champions and World Junior Grand Prix Champions in 2017 and then proud members of the 2018 Australian Olympic team in Korea, 2018.
“The news today is so sad, my thoughts are with Katia’s family in Russia , Harley and the skating community in Australia. I will remember Katya as a young person of great talent and remarkable potential,” Mr Lipshut concluded.