The sports world is in mourning this week after the tragic and sudden death of an Olympian.
Patrick Gasienica, who represented the U.S. in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, passed away on Monday, USA Nordic Sport and U.S. Ski & Snowboard confirmed in a statement Tuesday.
He was only 24.
“USA Nordic Sport and U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, and the ski jumping community,” the joint statement read.
Gasienica was one of three ski jumpers who competed in the games out of Illinois’ Norge Ski Club.
“Patrick was a very well-liked ski jumper in the jumping community,” Norge coach Scott Smith said, via the Chicago Daily Herald. “Our hearts are truly broken, and Patrick will be forever missed.”
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Gasienica represented the U.S. at multiple events, including at the FIS Junior World Ski Championships in 2016 and 2017, and at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2019. In his sole Olympic appearance, he placed 49th on the normal hill and 53rd on the large hill, He also placed 10th in the team event.
His cause of death was not immediately known.
His family is full of athletes as his grandfather, father and uncle all were all involved in the same sport.
According to an obituary, Gasienica is survived by his parents, Jolanta and Wojciech, and his two sisters, Megan and Sabina.
