Patrick Gasienica dies at 24: Ski jumping community mourns Olympic athlete after death following motorcycle crash
OLYMPIC ski jumper Patrick Gasienica has died at the age of 24.
Patrick represented the United States in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The athlete died on Monday, according to USA Nordic Sport and U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
Patrick died after a motorcycle crash, the Daily Herald reported.
The Olympian was coming home from work when he crashed.
“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 made on Tuesday read.
Patrick placed 49th on the normal hill and 53rd on the large hill at the 2022 Olympics.
He finished in 10th place during a team event.
Patrick started as a ski jumper at the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, Illinois.
He made his International Ski and Snowboard Federation debut in 2015 and appeared in the FIS Junior World Ski Championships in the two years afterward.
He also represented the US at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2019.
“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.”
Patrick was living with his mom in McHenry, Illinois at the time of his death.
The skier is survived by his parents, Jolanta and Wojcieh, and his two sisters, Megan and Sabina, according to his obituary.
“This is a sudden and devastating loss for his family, especially his mother,” a GoFundMe page for Patrick read.
Patrick was described as resilient in his obituary.
“His relentless pursuit of his dreams and passions was truly inspiring, and he demonstrated an unwavering determination to achieve his goals,” it read.
“Patrick’s resilience and commitment were an embodiment of his indomitable spirit.”
Fellow American Ski Jumper Kevin Bickner posted a tribute to Patrick on Instagram.
“For the last 16 years you’ve been not only a great teammate on the hill but a close friend off the hill,” he said.
“Even though it is painful to say goodbye I’m grateful for the time we got to spend together traveling the world and living out our dreams side by side.”