Husband of figure skater Olga Sevastianova in court in Lausanne
Following her fall from five metres' height at the Vaudoise Arena in 2020, figure skater Olga Sevastianova's husband now faces trial at Lausanne police court.
Trial over fall at Olympic gala: figure skater's husband charged
Next week, the husband of figure skater Olga Sevastianova must answer charges before Lausanne police court – for negligent bodily harm. This is reported by 20 Minuten citing '24heures'.
On 7 January 2020, Sevastianova was rehearsing at the Vaudoise Arena for the opening gala of the Youth Olympic Games. She was supposed to be pulled several metres through the air in a tyre. The tyre moved abruptly, she lost her balance and fell from four to five metres' height onto the ice. Her small daughter filmed the rehearsal and had to witness the accident live.
Sevastianova was severely injured and admitted to hospital in critical condition. Two weeks after the accident, she filed a complaint – without suspecting that the investigation would also implicate her husband. "I needed answers, and I still don't have them after six years," she told the newspaper.
Investigators found several technical defects in the winch: the device was mounted on the ceiling, even though the instructions expressly prescribed floor mounting. Additionally, two pulleys were missing that should have balanced out rope vibrations.
Who was responsible for the faulty installation remains unclear to this day. In addition to her husband, the president and three employees of a company specialising in stage technology are charged. Jean-David Pelot, lawyer for the head of the installation team, emphasises according to '24heures': "Accidents happen, they are always senseless." However, there need not necessarily be a person who bears responsibility.
Sevastianova herself stands behind her husband. "He merely accompanied me during this act," she says. "He was only supposed to operate the winch to raise and lower me." She hopes for an acquittal for him.
The accident had serious consequences for the couple. The now triple mother could not work for years. Her husband gave up his career as an acrobat to be there for the family. "The six years since the accident have been the worst of my life," says Sevastianova.
The court must now decide whether all five defendants, some of them, or none of them will be convicted.
Source: 20 Minuten