U.S. ski jumper Patrick Gasienica, who competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics, died Monday at the age of 24, USA Nordic announced Tuesday.
Local reports from Gasienica’s native Illinois say the athlete was involved in a motorcycle accident Monday while heading back to his McHenry, Illinois home from work, according to The Daily Herald.
A cause of death was not specified in USA Nordic’s release.
“USA Nordic Sport’s thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and the Ski Jumping community,” the statement read.
Gasienica trained at the Norge Ski Club and went on to make his FIS Ski Jumping debut in 2015.
From there, he took part in the FIS Junior World Ski Championships in 2016 and 2017, and later, the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
Gasienica made his Olympics debut at last year’s Winter Games in Beijing.
He placed 49th on the normal hill and 53rd on the large hill.
The team finished 10th at the Olympics.
Gasienica placed 37th in the Continental Cup in Iron Mountain, Michigan, this past March, according to NBC Sports.
“Patrick was a very well-liked ski jumper in the jumping community,” Norge coach Scott Smith told the Daily Herald. “Our hearts are truly broken, and Patrick will be forever missed.”
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