As the world figure skating championships approach, reigning champion Ilia Malinin expresses a heartfelt dedication to the victims of American Airlines Flight 5342, which tragically collided with an Army helicopter, claiming 67 lives. Many young members of the figure skating community were aboard the flight, returning from a development camp. Malinin, who has processed the loss deeply, intends to honor those who cheered for him and trained alongside him by giving his all in the competition in Boston, hoping it becomes a special tribute to their memory.
I'll always have them in my head and my heart," said world champion Ilia Malinin, the 20-year-old American wunderkind, who will be defending his title in Boston this week.
Still some days I have some of those thoughts, kind of thinking about it. It does upset me a little bit that some days I won't see them on the ice, training with me and looking up to me.
This worlds, I really want to dedicate to everyone on that flight, and give my all to the performance, and really make it special for them.
When the world championships begin Wednesday at TD Bank Garden, home of the Bruins and Celtics, they will be hosted by the renowned Skating Club of Boston.
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