Sarah Burke, the former Canadian X Games star who died in 2012, lives on in the hearts of the Canadian team who honored her during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games.
Only 29 years old then, Sarah Burke died in a tragic skiing accident while training in Park Cit, Utah. The January 2012 accident left her with a brain injury that eventually led to her death.
Her team gave a beautiful tribute to the fallen Sarah Burke on Feb. 20 which moved Burke's father and the rest of the world to tears.
Sarah undoubtedly would have been thrilled to see Maddie Bowman taking the gold in the women’s halfpipe, and no matter what you think may or may not be up in that sky, it still has to tug on your heartstrings when you see every Olympic halfpipe worker pointing to it to honor their fallen friend.
Burke had been one of the pioneers in bringing the halfpipe event to the Winter Olympics and was considered the favorite to win the gold in the 2014 Sochi Games before her untimely death.
The women's team had been previously prohibited by Olympics organizers to wear helmets honoring Sarah burke during the events however, the women's team found a different way to give tribute to their fallen comrade.
The women's team formed a giant heart on the halfpipe and pointed to the sky in Sarah Burke's honor, in a gorgeous display of love and remembrance for their friend.
“[The tribute was] far beyond what I thought it would be,” said Sarah’s father Gord Burke, who traveled to Russia from Toronto, after the stunning tribute. “I never really imagined so much love for one person. So much passion and energy.”
Australia's Torah Bright shared her own strong opinion against the IOC's decision to ban stickers honoring Sarah Burke during the 2014 Sochi Olympics in an Instagram message she posted Feb. 7.
“Tonight marks the beginning of the 2014 Olympic Games. I am at these Olympics for multiple reason. Firstly, to represent my country and share with the world the sport which has blessed my life with beauty and joy. I am also here to honor my great friend Sarah Burke who left this world two years ago. I ride with a Sarah sticker on my snowboard and helmet always," Bright said on Instagram.
"The IOC however, consider Sarah stickers “a political statement” and have banned them. WOW. Sarah is a beautiful, talented, powerful women, who’s spirit inspires me still. She is a big reason why skier pipe/slope are now Olympic events. Lastly, My dear friends lost their first born yesterday. Neena and Andy your strength overwhelms me. More than anything, I wish I was there with you, to support you in love, as you have done for me through my own hardships. I will draw from your strength and do what I need to do. With an aching heart, I board… For your beautiful Indira. #godbewithyou”
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