Ekaterina Gordeeva 1996 Celebration of Life / Mahler - Symphony No. 5 (Serguei Grinkov Tribute)

[@BBJ55]

I don't think I can ever watch this skate without crying. I admire Katia for doing this. powerful but heartbreaking tribute to her husband.

[@candieevavold4937]

BBJ55 Me too. It's so beautiful, yet heartbreaking.

[@sweetheart8624]

me too, always start crying from the very first seconds, it's so heartbreaking 😢 I''ve loved this beautiful pair since I was a child

[@tracymorris2766]

I watched the original and recorded it. My heart broke with the nation, I am sure. If I need a good cry I will watch this😢

[@cortneyphillips7951]

I was at this performance of Stars on Ice, and while you knew this was going to happen, nothing could prepare you for the emotions you felt the moment Katia took the ice and you didn't see Sergei there with her. The tears were flowing for me and it was hard to watch this skate, but one of the most beautiful performances I have ever seen. While your heart was shattered for Katia, she was so strong to do this and do this only a few months after Sergei's death. We were seated behind Katia's parents and daughter and I remember seeing Daria dance around some and when Katia picked Daria up after this, I lost it, to see her patting her mom on the back...like to say "It's ok mommy, daddy would be so proud of you." One thing I took away was the quote she said at the very end of the show, "Tell the persons (people) you live with that you love them. Just say I love you!"

[@Zeppolino100]

+Cortney Phillips That pat on the back is one of the most touching and amazing gestures of pure love I have ever seen.

[@tracymorris2766]

What a blessing. I would have been right there with you in tears. Having watched their career, I was crushed when Sergei died. Thank you for sharing. 😢😢😢

[@mitchelejoson3426]

My tears won't stop from falling😢😢😢❤❤❤

[@beverlyhill9947]

I CRIED AS I READ YOUR WORDS. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THE MOST PRECIOUS PART OF YOUR WORDS...THE WORDS OF THIS VERY SWEET AND MOST LOVING YOUNG LADY...SO BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS..."TELL THE PERSONS (PEOPLE) YOU LIVE WITH THAT YOU LOVE THEM. JUST SAY I LOVE YOU!" THIS SAYS IT ALL. WHAT A MOST POIGNANT MOMENT IN TIME...SHE GOT THE WORLD TO THINK ABOUT LIFE AND ABOUT THE ONES WE LOVE. PRECIOUS, EKATERINA. YOU ARE AN ANGEL IN THE MIDST OF DEEP PAIN...WE LOVE YOU, ALWAYS. WE MISS YOUR HUSBAND WITH YOU SO MUCH....BEV~~USA, VA

[@lissalives1]

That child is the spitting image if Sergei. She's adorable.

[@oNegLeEk]

lissalives Smoot have you seen her all grown up she's beautiful!

[@Alchamei]

This is impossible to watch without crying once at least.

[@oofahman]

yep..always

[@jl-b2830]

She just looks so tiny and alone skating by herself.

[@whitecat3923]

Katya lost weight after Sergei's death..

[@debraenderle4737]

When i saw this in 1996 when the tribute first aired, the sight of Katia all alone on the ice literally felt like someone had punched me in the stomach and knocked all the breath out of my body. It was devastating.

[@TeeDee215]

All these years later it still brings me to tears. I don't know how she went on without him. I admire her strength. Beautiful and haunting.

[@lissalives1]

Me too.

[@whitecat3923]

Sergei will be always 'the one' for Katya.. But now, after many years of the unhappy marriage to Ilya Kulik, she may have found her happiness with David Pelletier, I hope...She deserves it!!

[@barbarawashington4664]

@@whitecat3923 I pray she remains happy for the rest of her life!!! ❤️ Sergei would want that for her…. And so do all of us

[@lenasakharuk5505]

i can just see how sergei would have been moving alongside her if he were with her. such a beautiful tribute

[@bethroesch2156]

This is one of the saddest yet most incredibly beautiful thing I've ever seen. I cried watching this when it first aired. A fitting tribute. He was so proud of her

[@Marie-vg5og]

Still crying here in 2018

[@mariel4085]

When she appears & turns to take his hand & skate out...omg crushing..I remember crying & thinking how could it be real..

[@Zeppolino100]

Though I have watched this video of Ekaterina's remarkable performance many times, for the first time this morning I began to cry involuntarily as soon as the first notes of Mahler's symphony began. Somehow I never noticed that as she came forward at the very start, she held her late husband's invisible hand as if presenting him to the audience, and then released him so that he might watch her. If ever there was a more extraordinary performance that married grief with joy I have yet to see it. The expressions on her face between 5:31 and 5:51 are heartbreaking. What a beautiful skater she is, but more importantly, what a great mother and beautiful human being. May you be blessed forever, Katia.

[@lovelytaneesha]

Yes beautiful speak of them

[@Zeppolino100]

Many thanks, Ms. Taneesha. Your smile glows with a warm spirit. :-)

[@WickedlyMe328]

Zeppolino100 I was there watching her first skate and each time I go back and watch it, I see the little signs of her pair skating. That night I watched it in tears and kept saying to myself “I can’t watch this.” It was emotionally draining and yet one of the most beautiful skates I ever witnessed. You felt Sergei there and was there with her. When she picked Dasha up after, her patting her mom on the back struck me. Nothing, even though you knew it was going to take place, could’ve prepared you emotionally.

[@cherylannemason]

As Katia tells it in her book, their choreographer had been starting work on this piece while Sergei was alive, but had always intended it as a solo. Given the circumstances, it's perhaps inevitable that there would be hints in the final product of how it might have been as a pairs routine. And I had a similar moment when watching it originally and seeing Katia pick up Dasha--it was like seeing Sergei there and peeking out through that little girl's eyes.

[@k_a_t_i_e999]

When the baby put her hands on her heart and then reached out for her mama I started sobbing dude that was too much emotion

[@MeeshBeer]

My father died a few hours before Sergei... I didn't think I would ever stop crying that day.

[@cw5451]

She didn't speak a word, but still she said so much. I don't know how she could do that routine and NOT cry the entire time. I was heartbroken for her when he died.

[@dtrix10kc]

Watching her skate this piece, I could see Sergei skating with her and so did my mother who was watching with me. She whispered, "My God, honey. Can you see him? He's there. He's with her." We both broke down in each other's arms and held on to each other, sobbing as we continued to watch to the end. It was beautiful and heart-breaking all in the same breath. God bless Katia, dear one. I still love you so after all this time and so admire your strength and courage. You are my idol and I am so happy for you, Illya and your children. Blessed be.

[@WickedlyMe328]

I was at the show and saw it in person and the music began you felt him there right away. You knew this was coming, but nothing could prepare you for seeing her alone without Sergei. My mom said the same thing to me during the skate. It was so hard to watch but one of the most beautiful skates I have seen. I was crying from the moment the music came on until it was over. But you were so proud of her being able to do this skate and found a way to smile through those tears. It's been 20 years since this skate and I still get tears in my eyes.

[@ravenel2]

When I was watching on TV, I knew something very unusual was happening-because if ever a spirit was televised on a video camera this would be it. I didn’t “see” the outline of a person, other than knowing where he would have been, like everyone knew. But something with the blue ice and the lights was so unusual, that you could see that the uplifting energy of a spirit was present in that arena. Did psychic people actually see him?

[@whitecat3923]

@@ravenel2 I don't think, someone could see spirits, but lots of people can feel them! And get their messages via telepathy... Sergei was by her side for sure!

[@zulmachorressinclair2551]

That is why my son is name after him.....My Sergei is now 17...and I am proud of him...so proud,,,

[@whitecat3923]

👍🏼👌🏼❤️

[@hparis9462]

Wow, somehow stumbled onto this and I feel like I just watched her go through all the stages of grief in one beautifully intricate and powerful performance. That ending with her arms raised & walking towards the light almost like she was trying to somehow reach for him. Wew, I haven’t cried like that in a while.

[@Ourfriendvirch]

This makes me cry and Marina who was her coach and then coached Tessa and Scott who did this program to Mahler at the Olympics, Marina wanted them to ice dance to it knowing they had the right emotions for it and love for each other just like Katia and Sergei did and won gold for it which is just .....wow I love it both so beautiful.

[@agirl4677]

I was thinking the same about the music. Both interpretations are so beautiful and touching.

[@JenniferNolos]

17 years later and her story STILL brings tears..RIP Sergei

[@anja1627]

27 years and here I am still bawling.

[@e.h.913]

Yes 🙏 and just I luke this, the day...20. Nov. ...27 ears after 😥 R. I. P Sergej

[@keyarrma]

i immediately cried when she came onto the ice with one hand closed as if she was holding sergei's hand with it :(

[@Christian_Girl120]

I can never watch this without crying. It just isn't right he died so young. If only the doctors had given him a more thorough workup. If only he had realized that since his father died of a heart attack that he would make the connection. If any of these 'If only's" turned out right he might still be with us today. Katia had so much courage, and Daria was a huge part of that. God bless her for sharing the story of she and Sergei's life together.

[@jediprice70]

Everything happens for a reason. We can't say what's right or not. We only see something from our own eyes, our own perception and knowledge. It's far too limited to make a judgment about something.

[@thestarinhereyes2]

The lump in my throat… that was so sad and beautiful 🥺🥺🥺

[@AllthebeautifulThings]

...she died on the ice with him that day....:´( Stay strong Katia!!!

[@cw5451]

I disagree. She has continued to LIVE and love. It may be more accurate to say that a part of her died with him that day.

[@mymbh]

The pain from this is indescribable.

[@angelab4156]

Wow. I cried the first time I watched this on TV and I'm crying now. He died too young. There will never be another G and G

[@sheilabloom6735]

Me too. Cannot listen to this Mahler without thinking of this.

[@divapie1]

I have watched this many time and I just noticed that she was "Skating with him"...OMG.....I am in tears and this is 2017. Sucha Beautiful Couple!! I finally understood the routine, I always watched it and was very emotional about her skating by herself, and she expresses this in this routine.....OMG Beautiful!!!

[@kimberlybellefontaine1215]

I can’t even imagine the emotional strength this took. I’m in tears..😭💞

[@karlapatylopez9785]

She´s a strong woman...i just found her love story with Sergei. I´m a dancer and I lost my mom when i was 30, and it was so hard for me to back to dance, i cry the entire time...still hurt but we have to move forward !!!!

[@aisling5643]

I just found out that this was the inspiration behind Tessa and Scott’s 2009-10 free dance (their Olympic winning one). Both performances are truly beautiful

[@whitecat3923]

It was for sure their coach Marina Zueva, who had this idea...She was also coach of G&G...

[@travelingjana4240]

Every time I watch it I cry. Always.

[@peggyseville189]

Just lost my husband, my heart, whom we grew up together as kids. Tears spill endlessly as I watch and feel every aching heartbeat Ekaterina expresses so beautifully.

[@julesybethmedlini]

Her wings were broken, it seems as if she was looking for him… 🥀

[@candicecavender8751]

Such a touching tribute. I remember both times when they won the Gold at the Olympics. Even after all of these years, it still is so heartbreaking that we lost such a wonderful man on and off of the ice. To see her grief and pain makes you feel so much for her. I am so glad that she has continued to skate and has found love again and he lives on in their daughter who is the spitting image of Sergei.

[@fabricatedreality8218]

love you, Katia. You are a brave, beautiful, talented woman.

[@ankemwigaroa9866]

It truly is a thunderous applause.

[@wilmaobama5933]

I heard she's married and have another child. That's good. I bet it was hard for her to move on. You never forget your first love.

[@LWOPP]

She's married to Ilya Kulik, 1998 Olympic champion, and they have a daughter, Elizaveta. They run an ice rink/training center in Lake Forest, CA..I'll never forget hearing about Sergei on the radio at work. It was devastating news, and I remember thinking that she's just 24 and Daria only 3. I know it must have been so hard for her, too, but I'm glad life seems to be good for her again.

[@sheilabloom6735]

Thank you for the update. So glad she found happiness married to another great skater.

[@ashleymarie7695]

Rosalyn Logan but if you read her book called "My Sergei" she really did have a happy marriage! She herself said looking back it was too good to be true.

[@chaoticneutralsheep]

Sadly Gordeeva and Kulik divorced in 2015, so maybe it wasn't meant to be. I do have a little hope that Gordeeva and Sergei will be able to see each other again in the far future.

[@whitecat3923]

Katya is together with David Pelletier now and may have found her happiness with him, after devorced marriage to Ilya Kulik.. She deserves it!!

[@lovelytaneesha]

Daria looks just like Grinkov.

[@cleoambrosia]

My father tears up just TALKING about this performance, which is saying something.

[@stefaniaaliaj4327]

Sobbing 😭 and speechless. An amazing performance

[@oopsydoopsy1939]

I'm not crying! You're crying! 😭😭😭😭

[@lindamobley9661]

Still breaks my heart!!

[@Cassie-pt7mt]

Even after all these years, Ekaterina's beautiful tribute to her Sergei still brings tears to my eyes.

[@user-vy1gq4ip2j]

Реквием по любимому.

[@dannlang5604]

I just finished reading "My Sergei" which was emotional. This video was even more moving and emotional than I anticipated. So touching.

[@OlgaLevin]

I remember this performance very well. Sometimes an action says more than words. In this case her graceful skating really showed her at her lowest moment. I even remember when Sergei proposed to her on ice.

[@leonieladner8631]

I never knew he proposed to her on ice.

[@dressersmith]

@@leonieladner8631 He didnt, not sure what that person is talking about.

[@michaelpayne5545]

Just finished reading her book the other day. Just came across this video, and can't imagine how she found the courage to go out and skate that number. You can see the emotion she has at the end of the program, which is quite understandable.

[@theakyosmith]

She skates as if she's asking: where are you? I'm here! I'm yours, come and take me with you, I can't see you and I love you so much...❤

[@Sassy4826]

Although it's been 22 years since this video, I still cry when I watch it. The raw emotion and expression on Katia's face is beautiful and tragic at the same time. I know she felt Sergei on the ice with her; although you couldn't see him, he was right there with her. This was a wonderful tribute to Sergei, and Katia was so strong to have done it so close to his death. What a courageous and touching performance. G&G will never be forgotten. In my opinion, they were the best pairs skaters in the history of figure skating.

[@whitecat3923]

Man/Frau fühlt seine geistige Präsenz dort!..Es ist soo traurig!!..

[@Michelle-ft7ii]

I don't know how she found the strength to do this, but God Bless her...

[@LinYouToo]

I took my mom to the show and when she came out on the ice I couldn’t stop from crying, it was very emotional

[@oofahman]

For me, that was THE most poignant performances ever! Thank You, Katia! In Sergei's memory

[@kathleenulich699]

Truly art in motion. You can feel her searching for Sergei. She gave her heart to this performance. 🩷💐🙏

[@Quegi-mp1pw]

This was so powerful. Shows what the power of love is capable of. God bless her, their little daughter and her deceased husband.

[@melissapegase2920]

It is as if he were there with her. I cant hold my tears while watching this💔

[@frangardner6865]

That was beautiful!

[@Earthgal063]

My God. A gazelle with a lion’s heart ❣️

[@CMB-fd5kz]

She was reaching high up like searching for the height that was her husband, imagine skating alone all of a sudden when u were always a part of pair, even their child in her innocence wept for her mom

[@dqcarol]

I watched this when it first aired on television. I had goosebumps, as I could literally SEE him alongside her as she skated. the expression of love and loss and strength are SO vivid … I sobbed then, and I am choked up now.

[@vickiecanupp7815]

What a Beautiful and Glorious Love story on the ice......and in Life too .....and their little Daughter...sooo sweet making the sweetest gesture to her Mother

[@inesbrehme75]

Ich kann nicht aufhören zu weinen und bin froh, dass wir durch KZbin heute solche Ereignisse nochmal sehen können.

[@whitecat3923]

Hab ähnliches gedacht.. Denn im Februar 1996 wurde diese Show zum Ehren von Sergej Grinkov nicht in Deutschland gezeigt..

[@Zeppolino100]

Can we consider this the genuine "Miracle on Ice"? Ms. Gordeeva's incredible performance was a mere 3 months after Sergei's sudden death. Katia poured every ounce of her love for him into her skating that evening, transitioning from honor and through grief, before closing with grace and beauty. Thinking back on pictures of her as the tiny 11 year old girl when she was first paired with him, alone on the ice here she appeared SO tiny and fragile, like a delicate porcelain figurine you prayed would not break. But once she began, her inner strength and resolve shone through, revealing the full power of love. Afterward, when little Daria first crosses her heart before gently patting her mother's back reassuring her that her father is still with her, that all will be well, one can't help being amazed. And her final words to the crowd we could all take to heart, “Live your day with lots of smiles....smile to each other and say I love you.”

[@RH-pm2vj]

このプロは何度見ても涙が出ます

[@mimicatadman6504]

I've ve read her book when I was in my first year college amd I was hooked!! 😍😍 love their story. .

[@brookeclay5979]

The most emotional, the most significant program I’ve ever watched on the ice. No doubts at all that Sergei was right there with his beloved Katoosha. Their story still brings me such joy and such sorrow.

[@karenroseberry1445]

How lovely! How beautiful! You can tell they loved each other dearly. What a beautiful tribute! ! I have lost loved ones myself and will always carry their memories in my heart. How lovely! I'm glad she found love once again and I wish her all the best.

[@whitecat3923]

Watching Katya's dance here is impossible without tears!..😢💔 Such a touching tribute.. RIP, Sergei..🥀

[@user-qu2xe5lq9p]

Трогательно до слез, дочка вылитая Сергей, его мама и Катя поддерживают друг друга молодцы.

[@whitecat3923]

..поддерживали!.. Мама Сергея ведь умерла через 5 лет после него...

[@blacksun6307]

@@whitecat3923 да, мама тоже потом долго не прожила, видимо не выдержала..

[@jadedanielle4266]

i’ve never cried to a skating performance and just wow.

[@sharonramone7186]

I just can't find any words....

[@mmcs4973]

This is the most gut wrenching skate to witness, the grief and pain is palpable, and watching it all these years later does not diminish the sadness. I am so thankful that Daria is a replica of Sergei who lives on in her ❤

[@shannondillon153]

I remember watching this when it first aired. I was just telling one of my coworkers about her story, which is what prompted me to search for the video. 🥺

[@jl-b2830]

I feel my lost loved one sometimes too. He just comes to me when he feels like it, and I am happy for those times. Love you baby.

[@migglemaggle9500]

That was beautiful.

[@Aditi000]

THIS was perfection!@!! I cry every time I see it. If you were a fan you can see the moves that she took from programs with Sergei.......God Bless them all!!

[@pantherablaxxx9930]

My all-time favorite skating pairs! I first heard of Sergei’s death when my mom told me, « There’s a Russian skater who just died of an heart attack… he was just 28!» I was like « Nah… that can’t be…! » Later on I heard it on the news it was indeed Sergei who passed… my jaw just dropped! I simply couldn’t and wouldn’t believe it! Sergei! Dead? Nah! That must be another Sergei! Then I watched this program and realized he was really gone! Still today when I’m watching this I still have tears in my eyes. 😭 And Little Daria barely knew him… poor girl. Sergei must be proud of her from beyond.

[@shirleyyu4826]

I've looked all over KZbin for this video, so glad to finally found your upload! Thank you so much for sharing this moment with us!

[@bethanycook8124]

22 yrs later and it's still one of the most besutiful gut wrenching tributes I have ever seem..he would be so proud of her♥️

[@pamparker6876]

Beautiful. It was the only way she knew how to express her grief

[@Scott-gn8yo]

I admittedly cried...such an emotional performance.

[@user-oi1ye5ys4x]

Я расплакалась.спасибо Катюша

[@zannebrazeau]

at times ya could feel serguei with her on the ice and it still makes me tear up seein this and little daria who was only like 3

[@proart7501]

Within the first three seconds, I was already bawling. What a wonderful, wonderful piece, exuding “perfect” expressions of sadness and hope. What grace. What strength!

[@t.j.7789]

My God!! I’m am so grateful I know who Ekaterinburg Gordeeva and Sergi Grinkov are!! I need d a good eye and soul cleanse. I don’t know how anyone can watch this and NOT. All like a baby!

[@whitecat3923]

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??! 🙈САМО ХОТЬ ПОНЯЛО, ЧЁ ТУТ НАПЛЕЛО??!👎🏼

[@haliensexist]

So beautifully heatbreaking... the tears won't stop streaming!

[@kristinholsapple2587]

I can not stop crying ..........I know people are so touched when their daughter patted her on the back which was heartbreaking, but when they pan over to her wiping tears from that beautiful little face made me cry a litte harder

[@GRACEGRANT-ni8kq]

So Very Beautiful 😪❤❤

[@rachelplows3001]

Such a beautiful piece of music.

[@blindsidedbylife143]

Simply heartbreaking beautiful

[@WickedlyMe328]

One of the most beautiful skates and emotional skates. When Sergei died, no one thought Katia would ever skate again and when it was announced.... I was there to see this in person. Nothing could prepare you for what you feel that moment she appeared on the ice. The music began and I was in tears even before you saw her. I cried the entire time and kept thinking “I can’t do this.” Which is stupid to think now, but that’s the emotional impact. You felt Sergei was there, not only with Katia, but with this entire cast. The part that got me was when Dasha was patting her mom on the back after. We were behind her family and could see Dasha dancing around. When Katia started crying after the performance, I began bawling myself. I lost my grandpa 3 years later to the day of Sergei passing. I’m happy I got to see this but also see her and Sergei skate together. As Katia said, which has stayed with me “Live your day with lots of smiles....smile to each other and say I love you.”

[@noomwa]

I cried then and I'm crying now....

[@caramarie4285]

Llore de principio a fin …

[@user-cq8bx6bj6y]

О божечки 😭Невозможно смотреть без слез . ,😢😢😢

[@user-be1sy9is9v]

😭 🌌 а жизнь продолжается... Светлая память Сергею... 🙏

[@karennoble4957]

Beautiful and chosing the hauntingly beautiful Adagio from Mahler's symphony for this performance. So much class, beauty, love they, and now her, have given us.thank you.

[@oNegLeEk]

this always gives me goosebumps I'm tearing up as i type this

[@nataliemeenakshithegreat7780]

This is by the way one of my most favorite peace of classical music

[@ritavillegas6991]

I’m here due to TikTok sharing their beautiful story of love and it’s so sad. They’re right. This kind of relationship and how they met and stayed together and strong, that will never happen again.

[@barbdoyle8776]

Wow just wow 😢

[@user-kn9mt5tx9w]

Катя, много лет скорблю с Вами😭