Death of Yury Ryazanov (RUS) and Oleksandr Zhurov (UKR)

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, October 21, 2009: The FIG regrets to announce the death of two beloved gymnasts to truly tragic circumstances.

Russian gymnast Yury Ryazanov was killed in a car crash on Tuesday on the way to his home town Vladimir, around 200 kilometers east of Moscow. The 22-year-old gymnast, who had won Bronze at the All-around competition of the 41st Artistic Gymnastics World Championships last week in London (GBR), was driving on a highway when his car collided head on with another vehicle, federation spokeswoman Natalia Kulagina said. Ryazanov died at the scene.

'This is very tragic news for Russian gymnastics,' Kulagina said. 'He was one of our most talented young athletes who could have achieved many great things for our sport.'

Ryazanov won Russia’s 2009 National All-around title and finished third at the European Championships earlier this year.

Yet another tragedy occurred. While training at the Cirque du Soleil facilities in Montreal, young Ukrainian gymnast Oleksandr Zhurov succumbed to injuries sustained during a fall.

Not only is the Federation saddened by this news, we are nonplussed when we consider the effort invested in enforcing safety measures to protect the athletes.

The news has cast a pall over the international gymnastics community, and we extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families and loved-ones of the deceased.