Former Olympic figure skater Alexandra Paul died in a car crash at the age of 31, according to Skate Canada.

“During her illustrious career, Alexandra and partner Mitchell Islam won multiple international medals, claimed three Canadian Championship medals and competed at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games,” Skate Canada said in a statement. “Her commitment to excellence was matched only by her warmth and kindness, which endeared her to fellow athletes, coaches, and fans alike.”

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Earlier this week, Paul was involved in a seven-vehicle crash in Melancthon Township, approximately 60 miles north-west of Toronto. Also in the car was her baby son, who sustained non-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The ex-skater was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other people were injured in the crash, including a 67-year-old man who was airlifted to a trauma center in Toronto with serious injuries.

Who is Mitchell Islam?

Mitchell Islam is a Canadian former competitive ice dancer. From 2000 to 2008, Islam competed with Joanna Lenko. They trained at the Mariposa School of Skating, coached by Islam’s father, David, who is the Director of Ice Dance at the Mariposa School of Skating.

His mother, Debbie, is a former ladies’ singles skater. She won the Canadian junior title and senior national bronze medal. She is also a figure skating judge who was on the judging panel for the men’s event at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

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In February 2009, Mitchell Islam had a successful tryout with Alexandra Paul, who was a fellow skater at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ontario. The duo began competing together during the 2009–2010 season. They won a silver medal at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championship in 2010.

In 2011, 2014, and 2015, during their senior career, they also clinched the bronze medal at the Canadian national championships. They also competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, where the duo ranked 18th in the mixed ice dance event.

The paid retired from figure skating in 2016, after they won the bronze medal at US Classic International.

The couple married in 2021. Paul gave birth to their son Charlie in 2022.