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'Words cannot describe this': Three-time Olympic ice dancer dead at 30

yahoo sports staff
·3-min read
Kana Muramoto and Chris Reed, pictured here at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Kana Muramoto and Chris Reed at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. (Image: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

Chris Reed, an ice dancer who represented Japan at three different Olympics, died on Saturday of a heart attack in Detroit, the Japan Skating Federation announced on Tuesday.

Reed’s sister also confirmed the news through Instagram on Monday.

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“It deeply saddens me to tell you all my brother, my sweet, kind, charismatic, and loving big brother Chris, has passed away suddenly over the weekend,” Allison wrote.

“Words just cannot describe how much this pains me.

“Chris was such a pure spirit. He filled any room he walked into with so much joy and laughter. He always knew how to make me smile. I love you bro.”

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His girlfriend Kerstin Frank wrote on Instagram: “You will always be the love of my life...my soulmate...my match made in heaven.

“I know we will be together one day again my love. You are such a special person to me and everyone who had the chance to get to know you.”

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Chris Reed sorely missed

Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to a Japanese mother and American father, Reed and both of his sisters would go onto become Olympic ice dancers.

“Our mom loved the sport of ice skating,” Reed told The Japan Times in December 2007.

“She never skated, but she loved watching it. We just kept skating for fun and entering local competitions.”

Reed chose to represent Japan on the world stage and initially competed alongside his older Cathy.

Kana Muramoto and Chris Reed, pictured here competing in the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Kana Muramoto and Chris Reed compete in the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. (Photo credit should read ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

The pair qualified for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and 2014 Olympics in Sochi.

After his sister retired, Reed paired with Kana Muramoto and again reached the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang.

The pair would also become the first Asian ice dancers to medal in an International Skating Union Championship event, winning bronze at the 2018 Four Continents Championship.

Reed announced his retirement on December 31, 2019.

With Yahoo Sports US