FIGURE SKATING
Denis Ten: Kazakh Olympic figure skater stabbed to death
The Olympian was stabbed in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, and was pronounced dead hours later.
Kazakh figure skater Denis Ten, a bronze medallist at the Sochi Olympics in 2014, has been stabbed to death at the age of 25.
According to a report by Kazakh news agency Kazinform, Ten died on Thursday after being stabbed as two men attempted to steal his car mirrors in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city.
The figure skater, twice a World Championship medallist, was rushed to a nearby hospital but died three hours later.
Reportedly, he was stabbed in the right thigh, causing severe blood loss.
"Unfortunately, he is not with us anymore," government spokesman Yernar Akimkulov told Kazinform.
Skating union mourns Ten's death
The International Skating Union said in a tweet that it was deeply saddened by Ten's tragic death.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to Denis' family, friends and fans across the world," it said.
American figure skater and Pyeongchang bronze-medallist Adam Rippon wrote on Twitter: "He was so kind to everyone and a huge inspiration to me and so many other people.
"Denis, thank you for showing us how to be a champion. Your time with us was way too short."
Rest in peace, Denis
Ten was born in Almaty and was part of Kazakhstan's Korean minority.
He won a surprise silver at the World Figure Skating Championships in 2013 and a bronze at the 2015 edition.
At Sochi 2014, Ten won bronze in the men's free skating final. This was his first and only Olympic medal.
This year he had hoped to return to the podium in the Olympics in Pyeongchang, but ankle, back and hip injuries prevented him from this goal. He finished in 27th place.
"Denis Ten was an incredible figure skater, the legend of our sport, our pride," Kazakhstan's minister of culture and sport Arystanbek Mukhamediuly said.
"This is an unthinkable tragedy and irreparable loss."