Warning: The following report contains distressing content

More information is emerging following the tragic passing of 20-year-old ice skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, who represented Australia at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The Russian-born Olympian’s coach Andrei Khekalo has told AFP that the young athlete had fallen from a sixth-floor window in central Moscow.

Local media is also reporting that Alexandrovskaya left a note behind which read “Lyublyu” – or “I love”.

Russian law enforcement has not yet made an announcement regarding her death.

Khekalo has also revealed that the Olympic ice skater had been diagnosed with epilepsy before her retirement from the sport in February 2020.

It is one of the “health concerns” that her Australian ice skating partner Harley Windsor wrote about in an emotional Instagram post in February announcing the pair would no longer compete together.

“First off I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in my skating journey this far,” Windsor wrote on Instagram earlier this year.

“It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart to announce that Katia and myself have decided to end our skating career together as a pair.

“Due to health concerns, Katia and I are unable to continue. I want to take this opportunity to wish Katia all the best in the future and a quick recovery.”

Alexandrovskaya’s coach suggested that he had been attempting to keep the athlete in her sport of ice skating despite the diagnosis and a series of injuries.

“I tried to get her to stay in sport at my own peril,” Khekalo said.

“She was fearless. She was like a fish in the water.”

Khekalo added that Alexandrovskaya also suffered from depression.

Alexandrovskaya won the 2017 world junior championship alongside Harley Windsor and competed with him in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang where they finished 18th.

She was granted Australian citizenship to compete at the Games in 2018.

“It is enormously sad to lose Katia who was a vibrant and talented person and an incredible athlete,” said Ian Chesterman, Chef de Mission for the Australian team in North Korea.

“She was quiet and humble in her manner but incredibly determined to be the best she could be.

“Katia was an important member of our Team in PyeongChang, who loved the opportunity to compete with Harley and embraced her time in the Australian Olympic team.

“We are all deeply saddened to hear the news today. Life since the Games has not been easy for her and this is another timely reminder of just how fragile life is.

“Katia’s death is another blow to our winter sports community who is still reeling from our loss of (Alex) Chumpy Pullin.

“But we are a close-knit community that will continue to offer support to each other at this incredibly sad time.”

Meanwhile, in an emotional Instagram post Windsor, Australia’s first Aboriginal athlete to take part in the Winter Olympics, said he was devastated by Alexandrovskaya’s death.

“Words can not describe how I feel right now, I am devastated and sick to my core about the sad and sudden passing of Katia,” he wrote.

“The amount we had achieved during our partnership is something I can never forget and will always hold close to my heart. This news is something you can never prepare for. Rest In Peace Katia.”

Tributes flowed on social media for Alexandrovskaya after the tragic news came to light.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.