Todd Sand.Photo: Joosep Martinson - International Skating Union/International Skating Union via Getty
Todd Sand is receiving lots of love from his friends, family and colleagues following his heart attack in Canada.
The 59-year-oldtwo-time Olympianwas in Calgary coaching Sonia Baram and Daniel Tioumentsev at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships when he suffered the health scare, according to U.S. Figure Skating.
Ithappened after Sand had coachedthe Orange County, Calif.-based pairs team in Wednesday night’s short program at the Winsport Event Centre on Thursday, reported the Long BeachPress-Telegram.
Hours after Sand’s heart attack, the pair — who Sand coaches with his former skating partner and now-wife, Jenni Meno — went on towin the 2023 world titlewith just a minor glitch in their routine, stated Olympics.com.
Todd Sand and Jenni Meno.JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty
“There are a lot of emotions. We worked so hard to get here,” Tioumentsev told Olympics.com.
“We found out this morning (about Sand being hospitalized),” he added. “It was a definite down-turn for me and Sophia. We skated for Todd and for everyone that has helped us through the season. It was very hard and we tried to remember what Todd told us — stay in the moment.”
“Proud coach 🫶🏻(Worlds 2022),“she added on Saturdayalongside two photos of Sand. “We are grinding. Going to make you proud again! 💜”
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Meanwhile, fellow pairs skaters whom Sand competed with, including Tai Babilonia, are keeping him in their thoughts.
Todd Eldredge, former world champion and three-time Olympian, also shared his support for his fellow skater.
source: people.com
