Olympian Patrick Gasienica Dead at 24
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Olympic ski jumper Patrick Gasienica has passed away at the age of 24.
Gasienica was in Bull Valley, a suburb northwest of Chicago, Illinois, when his motorcycle crashed, per the Associated Press.
The accident occurred on Monday evening around 5:30 p.m., according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.
The motorcycle slid off the road, ejecting Gasienica from the bike. Bystanders performed CPR and multiple agencies responded to the emergency.
Gasienica was rushed to Northwestern Medicine Hospital hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries not long after and was pronounced dead.
USA Nordic also reported Gasienica's passing on Twitter, writing, "Patrick was an incredible competitor, teammate and friend. He will be dearly missed."
The Illinois native competed as part of the U.S. team at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in ski jumping. He placed 49th and 53rd in individual events during the games and placed 10th in a team competition with his U.S. teammates, Casey Larson, Kevin Bickner and Decker Dean.
The talented skier got his start at the Norge Ski Club north of Chicago. He went on to represent the U.S. at two Junior World Ski Championships in 2016 and 2017, as well as the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
A GoFundMe was set up by a man named Jason Vasconez for Gasienica's mother, Jolanta Kiwior.
The summary says that Gasienica passed away while on his way home from work on Monday night.
It further states: "Patrick was living with his mom at the time in McHenry, Illinois. Patrick was a specially gifted Olympic athlete and his passing is much too soon. Patrick's mother, his two sisters, and Bob, Jolanta's fiancee, are together grieving. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jolanta and her family in their time of need."
Any funds donated to the GoFundMe will go to Kiwior.
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