Speed Skating World Champion Lara Van Ruijven Dies at 27 – Inside the Circumstances of Her Death

July 14, 2020 | by Olowokandi Fiyin

Lara van Ruijven, who made a name as a short-track speed skater, has died after a short health battle. She was aged 27.

Lara van Ruijven — a short track speed skating champion, has passed on after suffering from complications related to an autoimmune disorder.

Lara van Ruijven of Netherlands celebrates in the Ladies 500m final during day 2 of the ISU World Cup Short Track at Sportboulevard on February 16, 2020 in Dordrecht, Netherlands | Photo: Getty Images

According to NZ Herald, the International Skating Union (ISU) disclosed that Lara was hospitalized for two weeks after she suddenly fell ill while in a training camp.

The news of Lara’s passing came just a couple of days after [it was] reported that 32-year-old Australian snowboarder, Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, was dead.

Some sad news to bring you.

World champion speed skater Lara van Ruijven, who had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, has died aged 27.

👉 https://t.co/7zqKYfb4Lm pic.twitter.com/hQF9fizpNd
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 11, 2020

It was later determined that she had an autoimmune disorder, which led her to be put in a medically induced coma. Unfortunately, Lara’s health kept deteriorating even after she underwent surgery. She eventually passed away on Friday, July 10.

People reported that soon after her death, Jeroen Otter — the Dutch short track coach — revealed how “definite and surreal” the event was.

World champion Dutch speed skater Lara van Ruijven has died aged 27 after battling with an autoimmune disorder, the Royal Dutch Skating Federation (KNSB) said on Friday. https://t.co/nQqdC0SXLs
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) July 11, 2020

7News also added that Maurits Hendriks — who is the KNSB technical director — noted that Lara’s passing was “incomprehensible” to her friends, teammates, and loved ones.

The site added that the late 27-year-old earned accolades after she won the gold title at the World Championship in 2019 — an occurrence that made her the first Dutch woman to win a world short track title at a stand-alone event.

Champion Australian snowboarder Alex “Chumpy” Pullin has tragically drowned while spear fishing off the Gold Coast.

Incredibly sad. https://t.co/HXV6lMRY3l
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) July 8, 2020

The news of Lara’s passing came just a couple of days after People reported that 32-year-old Australian snowboarder, Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, was dead.

The three-time Olympian passed away during a spearfishing trip off the Gold Coast in Australia. The news of his death quickly spread after another diver discovered his unconscious body on the seafloor.