Former Olympian Alexandra Paul remembered after fatal crash near Barrie, Ont.

Whether on the ice, within the courtroom or in her newest function as a brand new mom, Alexandra Paul introduced ardour and pleasure to all she did, those that knew the previous Olympic determine skater stated as they mourned her loss of life.

Paul, 31, died final week in a crash involving seven automobiles in Melancthon Township, west of Barrie, Ont., when a transport truck entered a building zone and crashed in a line of stopped vehicles.

Police have stated Paul’s toddler son was along with her and was taken to a youngsters’s hospital to be handled for non-life-threatening accidents.

Mike Slipchuk, the high-performance director with Skate Canada who had labored with Paul for years, stated news of her loss of life has been heartbreaking.

Paul was “just a great-all-around person,” he stated and can be remembered fondly by all who knew her.

“She had an outgoing personality,” he stated.

“She was very fun to be around and had a very positive impact.”

Slipchuk stated he first met Paul in 2008 when she was competing on the junior degree. He labored with Paul and her determine skating associate Mitchell Islam, whom she later married till they retired from skating in 2016.

He final noticed Paul just some days earlier than the deadly crash, throughout a summer season skating competitors in Waterloo, Ont., the place her husband was a coach.

Slipchuk stated the couple had been a profitable group and have become World Junior ice dance silver medallists earlier than turning into three-time Canadian senior medallists.

Alexandra Paul “a true role model for aspiring skaters”

Paul and Islam competed at two World Championships in 2014 and 2015 and had been members of the Canadian group on the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, Slipchuk stated.

“They pushed ahead and kept getting stronger and if one year, if one event, didn’t work the way they had hoped, the next one was better,” he stated.

“It culminated in them being part of the Olympic team which is every athlete’s dream and it was so great to see them get to that milestone and accomplish that.”

Skate Canada has stated Paul was a real function mannequin for aspiring skaters, demonstrating the values of resilience, perseverance and sportsmanlike conduct.

“A shining star on and off the ice, Alexandra’s dedication, passion, and remarkable talents have left an indelible mark on the world of figure skating,” learn a tribute posted on the federation’s web site.

“Her commitment to excellence was matched only by her warmth and kindness, which endeared her to fellow athletes, coaches, and fans alike.”

Paul, who retired from aggressive skating in 2016, went on to finish a legislation diploma on the University of Windsor and was referred to as to the Ontario bar in 2021.

Joanne McPhail, managing associate of Barriston Law in Barrie, Ont., the place Paul had labored as a lawyer, stated her loss of life has been devastating to everybody on the agency.

“Alex came to us initially as a summer student, then articled with us, and then practiced with us as a young lawyer after her call to the bar in 2021,” McPhail stated in an emailed assertion.

“She attended our firm golf tournament recently and was full of excitement about her future, as were we.”

McPhail stated Paul’s pals and colleagues will miss her joyful character and her intense ardour for her work and her household.

“She was kind, curious and driven in every endeavour she pursued,” she stated. “Our thoughts and hearts are with her son, Charlie, husband Mitch, and her entire family.”

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