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

Olowokandi Fiyin
Jul 14, 2020
09:30 A.M.

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

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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