Russian and American figure skaters tragically lost their lives in a plane crash in the United States.

Two former world figure skating champions from Russia, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were among the victims after an American Airlines plane collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter over Washington on Wednesday evening and crashed into the icy Potomac River, reports Caravan.kz.

Among the 64 people on board the flight from Wichita, Kansas, there were 14 American figure skaters.

According to AIPS, Jay Yul Kim, president of the International Skating Union, the governing body of the sport, was extremely emotional while making a statement at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, following the tragic loss. He stated that the global figure skating community is "deeply saddened by the news that some of our skaters, their families, friends, and coaches were known to be on board the plane involved in the tragic accident last night."

“We are in close contact with U.S. Figure Skating and offer our support during this incredibly difficult time. The figure skating community is tightly connected by strong bonds and friendship. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy,” added the ISU president.

Shishkova and Naumov, who won the world championship in pairs figure skating in 1994 and got married in 1995 in Russia, were reportedly returning from a competition with a group of young skaters. According to U.S. media, the couple has lived in the U.S. since at least 1998, where they have been coaching young skaters.

U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several members of their community were on board the American Airlines flight.

“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the families of the victims in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide additional information as it becomes available,” the statement read.

Reports indicate that Inna Volianskaya, a former skater who represented the Soviet Union and worked as a coach at a Washington figure skating club, was also on board.

Doug Zeghibe, executive director of the Boston Figure Skating Club, stated that 14 skaters returning home from a national development camp in Wichita, Kansas, organized by U.S. Figure Skating, lost their lives in the Washington D.C. plane crash.

“Of these 14 skaters, six were from the Boston Figure Skating Club. There were two coaches and two young athletes, as well as the mothers of two athletes,” he added.

In the corridors of the 143rd IOC session in Lausanne on Thursday, several high-ranking members of the International Olympic Committee also expressed their condolences.

Presidential candidate Prince Faisal al-Hussein began his media communication by extending condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.

“To start, I would like to express my condolences regarding the tragic loss of life in the United States due to the plane crash, especially to the families of the figure skaters. Our hearts and prayers are with them during this very tragic time,” the prince stated.

Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, recalled the horrific events that occurred last night in the United States.

“I know that there were heavy losses on the shooting range, but I am also deeply aware that in this desperate struggle there were Olympians and the families of Olympians. Therefore, on behalf of all of World Athletics, I would say that our thoughts and prayers are with all these families and friends who have suffered such a heavy loss,” Coe said.

Juan Samaranch Jr., another candidate for the IOC presidency, added that the death of athletes and non-athletes, both within and outside the Olympic family, causes everyone to look at things objectively.

“I sympathize with them, and we hope for the best,” he stated.