Canadian freestyle skiing head Peter Judge said that Sarah Burke’s ashes were taken to Sochi and spread at the halfpipe course as the event made its Olympic debut, according to the Canadian Press’ Donna Spencer.
The Toronto Sun’s Cathal Kelly shares more details:
This is just the latest example of an ode to Burke, as the freestyle skiing community remembers one of its trailblazers. It wasn’t the only way they remembered Burke in the halfpipe itself, as TODAY shares this image of the skiers’ heart-shaped tribute.
Olympic skiers pay heart-shaped tribute to Sarah Burke: http://t.co/MEaqSfhlBC pic.twitter.com/Xf7CD2SXrD
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 21, 2014
One of the most noteworthy moments came when the inaugural event’s podium pointed skyward in memory of Burke, who died at 29 while training in January 2012.
“Sarah Burke is watching over us tonight, and we just want to honor her as much as we can,” Gold medalist Maddie Bowman told NBC Olympics.
WATCH: Maddie Bowman's touching tribute to Sarah Burke, who died tragically two years ago. http://t.co/AEqAlHf9CK pic.twitter.com/myqF7zTkis
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 22, 2014
Skiers also tried to wear banners in Burke’s honor, but couldn’t get approval from the IOC. That clearly didn’t stop them from finding other ways to remember one of the sport’s brightest stars.