Katia Gordeeva & Sergei Grinkov ~ Pocahontas (Disney's Champions On Ice) 1995

Sergei's last TV Performance. Sergei Mikhailovich Grinkov (February 4, 1967 -- November 20, 1995) was a Russian pair skater. Together with partner Ekaterina Gordeeva, he was the 1988 and 1994 Olympic Champion and four-time World Champion. On November 20, 1995 Grinkov collapsed and died from a massive heart attack in Lake Placid, New York, while he and Gordeeva were practicing for the upcoming 1995-1996 Stars on Ice tour. He was only 28 years old. Grinkov is interred in the Vagan'kovskoye Cemetery in Moscow. Gordeeva, his widow, along with an all-star cast, skated a tribute in his honor titled "Celebration of a Life" in February 1996, which was later televised. Gordeeva also authored a book about their life and partnership titled My Sergei: A Love Story, which was later turned into a television movie/docudrama titled "My Sergei" and released on DVD. He was also the subject of a book, geared towards the 9-12 age group, titled They died too young: Sergei Grinkov written by Anne E. Hill. This is what Katia wrote in her book, "My Sergei" ~ A Love Story. It was written in Russian. I translate for you below. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I dedicate this book to my Sergei. To my lover, my husband, the father of my child, the great athlete, and my best friend. During his short life, yet rich life, Sergei was able to bless many people, one minute at a time. He lived for the earthly love and was able to share it with others, as it was the natural state of his soul. I am thankful to Sergei for every day I spent next to him, for every smile and kind word. Sergei, I will treasure our wonderful tale, in which we lived, and I will pass it to our daughter! --Ekaterina Gordeeva--1996