Latest news with #MonumentalSportsandEntertainment
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Figure skating tributes dedicated to DC plane crash victims raise $1.3 million
A tearful tribute from the United States' most decorated figure skaters coupled with multiple fundraising efforts has garnered $1.3 million on behalf of the Washington, D.C., plane crash victims, organizers said Thursday. "Legacy on Ice," a figure skating tribute show that took place last month at Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., honored the 67 lives lost in the fatal midair collision on Jan. 29 -- with nearly half of the passengers being members of the figure skating community. On Thursday, almost exactly nine weeks since the crash, Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE), which co-hosted the event with U.S. Figure Skating (USFS), announced a total of $1.3 million had been raised from the sold-out event and subsequent fundraising. "This is evidence of what good that can happen when people band together," MSE CEO Ted Leonsis said in a statement provided to ABC News, emphasizing the "herculean effort and generosity" of organizers and the Washington community. "The kids that were lost -- skating is what they loved to do, so it only felt right that that's how we remember them," two-time U.S. national champion Gracie Gold said in a video compilation of the "Legacy on Ice" event posted by Team USA on Friday. The midair crash between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle Flight 5342 above the Potomac River left no survivors and was the first major commercial crash since 2009. The incident was particularly poignant within the skating community given the sport's history with aviation tragedy -- in 1961, the entire U.S. national team died aboard Sabena Flight 548 while traveling to the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. MORE:'Hearts are heavy': 14 members of figure skating community among victims of DC plane crash Last week, the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships took place in Boston, marking two months since the fatal crash in D.C. and 64 years since the 1961 tragedy. Pausing from the fierce competition, skaters and spectators took time to remember the victims. Maxim Naumov, 23, who lost both of his parents in the crash, received a one-minute standing ovation at a gala on Sunday that concluded the competition. "I don't have the strength or the passion or the drive or the dedication of one person anymore. It's three people," Naumov said in an interview with NBC News' Craig Melvin last week. He described his parents, 1994 Russian world champions and coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, as "superheroes." MORE: Figure skater who lost both parents in DC plane crash brings world crowd to its feet At last month's "Legacy on Ice" tribute, Naumov performed to his parents' favorite song in Russian, "The city that does not exist." He opened with choreography clasping each of his hands around the empty air on either side of him, symbolizing him reaching for his parents' hands that are no longer here. Naumov's performance concluded with him sobbing on his knees and repeatedly mouthing words, which he later explained was him saying in Russian "This is for you" and "Mom and Dad, I love you." During the World Figure Skating Championships, a remembrance memorial featured videos of the plane victims on the TD Arena jumbotron, and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu highlighted the six members lost from the Skating Club of Boston. Just a day after clinching his second consecutive world championship title, Ilia Malinin delivered an emotional tribute performance at the gala, in which he fought back tears and brought the audience to their feet. Known as the "Quad God" and the first skater to land a quadruple axel in competition, Malinin also performed at "Legacy on Ice" last month, closing out the show with an upbeat, motivating number titled "Hope." MORE: Figure skating's world championships are headed to Boston U.S. pairs champions Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov displayed photos of the Skating Club of Boston members, and two-time U.S. champion Amber Glenn sported a T-shirt that said, "Skate with their spirit." Efimova, Mitrofanov, and Glenn also performed at "Legacy on Ice," where they were accompanied by a cast of U.S. Figure Skating's top stars, past and present. Included in the lineup was 17-year-old Isabella Aparicio, who lost both her father, Luciano, and her 14-year-old brother, Franco, in the crash. Skating to a recording of her father playing "Canon in D" on the guitar, Aparicio fell to her knees at the conclusion of her routine, and the tear-ridden audience leapt to their feet in support of the skater. "Legacy on Ice" also honored the victims' final skating endeavor as they had been traveling home from a development camp that is hosted annually for the highest-performing youth skaters following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The performers reenacted a skating skills class that is traditionally conducted at such camps, staging the exercise to Beyonce's "Halo." "Against the backdrop of this massive tragedy, this region has provided a light in showcasing its generosity and empathy for the victims, their families, and the heroic first responders," Leonsis said in a statement following the event. MORE: Olympic figure skaters to honor DC plane crash victims in tribute show According to MSE, donations will be distributed to USFS, the Greater Washington Community Foundation's "DCA Together Relief Fund," and the D.C. Fire & EMS Foundation, with each organization receiving approximately $425,000. USFS continues to collect donations from its own fundraiser, the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund, which benefits victim family members. Editor's note: The author of this story has been a member of U.S. Figure Skating since 2008. Figure skating tributes dedicated to DC plane crash victims raise $1.3 million originally appeared on
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DC council passes emergency legislation allowing more closed-door meetings
WASHINGTON () — The D.C. Council voted Tuesday to amend the Open Meetings Act, allowing for more closed-door meetings. 'There is constantly a complaint that the ability to have a conversation, just a conversation, is impeded. That's what this legislation gets to,' said Chairman Phil Mendelson (D). Under the emergency legislation, the council will be allowed to have private meetings — without the required two business days' notice to the public — if the group is being briefed on a potential terrorist threat, public health threats or having a meeting with the mayor. No votes or official action can be taken. 'It doesn't close the meeting where action is taken. In fact, it preserves most of the existing law,' said Mendelson. The legislation cites 'consequential, large-scale business and economic development…' like the arena deal with Monumental Sports and Entertainment, as an example of when a closed-door meeting may be necessary. Expelled DC Councilmember Trayon White teases re-election campaign on social media It also points to the need for privacy when strategizing on federal issues and interference, after Congress passed a recent spending bill that cut $1 billion from D.C.'s budget. 'This emergency legislation is particularly necessary in the current political climate to allow the council to be briefed as a body in a timely manner and to develop appropriate responses to rapidly unfolding issues,' said the legislation. Still, some advocacy groups have come out in opposition to the changes. 'They work for the public, they work for the people of the District of Columbia,' said Bob Becker. 'And the people of D.C. have the right to know why they're doing things, not only what they're doing but why they're doing it.' Becker is a member of the The group sent a letter to the council criticizing the legislation. Becker worries it'll impact public trust and transparency. '[The public] has a right to be confident that [the council isn't] giving in to special interests,' he said. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) introduced legislation to narrow the scope of what discussions can happen behind closed doors, limiting it to economic development negotiations or federal government relations. That amendment failed. Because the legislation was passed on emergency, it will go into effect for 90 days without a public hearing. A hearing on the permanent legislation is set for April 22. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Voice of America
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Voice of America
US skating community honors colleagues who died in Washington plane crash
The U.S. skating community came together Sunday for a fundraiser and tribute to the victims of a collision between an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Jan. 29 over the Potomac River in Washington. Sixty-seven people, all the people on both aircraft, died in the crash, including 28 members of the U.S. figure skating community — 11 young figure skaters, four couches and 13 family members — who had been to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. One of the most emotional performances Sunday night was delivered by Maxim Naumov, who skated to a favorite song of his parents, Evgenia Shishkov and Vadim Naumov, who died in the crash. The two-hour Legacy on Ice event was hosted by Olympic figure skating champions Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi. They and other veteran skaters, including Scott Hamilton and Nathan Chen, also performed. The event began to take shape a week after the crash. Monumental Sports and Entertainment, organizers of the tribute, said they have so far raised $1.2 million for the victims' families and the first responders. 'We continue to be in awe of and grateful to this community, whose compassion and support was out in full force for the 'Legacy on Ice' event,' Monumental chairman Ted Leonsis said in a statement. He said the money raised is set to be divided among the families impacted by the collision, first responders and U.S. Figure Skating. The Associated Press reported that almost 500 first responders and approximately 150 family members of the victims were in the audience. NBC is scheduled to broadcast "Legacy on Ice" on March 30.
Boston Globe
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Skating Club of Boston victims of January plane crash among those honored in on-ice tribute
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Related : Advertisement The 'Legacy on Ice' show, organized by Monumental Sports and Entertainment in partnership with US Figure Skating, served as a memorial and fund-raiser, dedicated to supporting the victims' families as well as the first responders who were on the scene. Four Boston figure skaters — Jimmy Ma, Max Naumov, and the pairs team of Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov — took part in the event, balancing their performances with preparation for the World Figure Skating Championships March 25-30 at TD Garden. Zeghibe expressed his admiration for the skaters who interrupted their training schedules. Related : 'I'm incredibly proud of our team. Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov — who are preparing for the World Championships, yet still made the trip to be here,' Zeghibe said. 'It shows just how much they care, as do all of our skaters, including Max Naumov, who tragically lost both of his parents in the crash. Our skaters are incredibly resilient. I think all skaters, especially at the Olympic and world-class level, know how to focus and compartmentalize when they need to. But tonight, we see how deeply they also know how to open themselves up when it matters most.' Max Naumov, who lost his parents in the Jan. 29 plane crash, was emotional after performing Sunday. Nick Wass/Associated Press Skaters from clubs across the nation took the ice, each honoring a life lost in the tragedy. Among the notable performers who captivated the crowd during introductions were 2014 Olympic team bronze medalist James Brown and 1984 Olympic champion Scott Hamilton. Advertisement However, it was the Skating Club of Boston's performance that left the audience moved, earning a standing ovation. The club was introduced by 1992 Olympic silver medalist Paul Wylie and two-time Olympian Nancy Kerrigan, a longtime member of the Skating Club of Boston. The performances were filled with raw emotion. Ma delivered a powerful and technically difficult routine to 'One Day I'll Fly Away', while Efimova and Mitrofanov executed a breathtaking program full of intricate twists and stunts. Their routine, set to 'Papa, Can You Hear Me?', ended with the pair sending a kiss to the sky, a poignant tribute to those lost. Defending world champion Ilia Malinin performed at the "Legacy on Ice" event. Nick Wass/Associated Press Lastly, Naumov skated in honor of his parents, his performance so moving that he collapsed in tears on the ice, receiving a standing ovation. The Skating Club of Boston followed with a hauntingly beautiful group performance to 'Ave Maria'. As they finished. Naumov raised his candle high, skating off the ice with tears in his eyes. Members of the D.C. skating community were also in attendance. Among them was , including 17-year-old figure skater Sara Morell from Prince William County, Va., who felt a connection to the young skaters lost in the tragedy. 'As a skater, you always hear people say this is a community, and it really is,' Morell said. 'Skating has brought me most of my closest friends. So when something like this happens, you just want to be there to show your support. It's heartbreaking to think that some of the skaters we lost were my age, with so much talent and potential. Watching them skate, you could see they had such bright futures ahead of them.' Advertisement The crowd also took a moment to honor the first responders in attendance, recognizing their bravery and dedication, and US Figure Skating presented them a bouquet of flowers. The final performance came from 2024 world champion Ilia Malinin, who delivered a fast-paced, passionate routine set to a piece titled 'Hope' — the theme of the event. Wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with the word HOPE in bold letters, Malinin executed a series of difficult tricks with precision and grace. As he stepped off the ice, the crowd rose in a standing ovation. To close the event, the performers united for a heartfelt group performance. They took the roses from the tribute table and arranged them in the center of the ice, forming a heart. Hand in hand, they stood around the roses as a single spotlight illuminated the scene — an emotional tribute to lives lost but never forgotten. Asia Alexander can be reached at
Bloomberg
13-02-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
The Deal: Ted Leonsis
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with Ted Leonsis, founder of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, to discuss how he came to dominate the Washington DC sports scene. Leonsis shares what he learned from the 'world's worst deal' at AOL and how he's helping the US capital become a 'super city' by investing in its teams.
