LAUSANNE – It is with deep shock and profound grief that FISU has learnt of the death of young Russian football player Alena Trushkina, who had participated in FISU’s recently concluded University World Cup – Football tournament in Jinjiang, China.
22-year-old Trushkina was an integral part of the Siberian Federal University team, one of eight women’s teams that participated in the world finals that were held from 21 November to 1 December.
Just two days after the conclusion of the tournament, Trushkina tragically died in a car accident on the Chelyabinsk-Novosibirsk highway in Russia, after a fatal collision with a truck.
“This is very shocking and tragic news,” said FISU President Oleg Matytsin. “FISU expresses its deepest sympathies to the family of Alena Trushkina. We have lost a bright young star, who was full of hope and promise for the future. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time.”
“It is a deeply personal loss for FISU,” said Eric Saintrond, Secretary General and CEO of FISU. “Our student athletes make us who we are and each one of them is precious to us. Particularly because she had participated in our tournament just a few days ago, we feel the loss even more. It is an immense tragedy for someone so young to lose their life.”
“In this hour of grief, we offer our most sincere condolences to her family, friends and teammates,” he added.
In addition to the University team, Trushkina had been a member of several Russian first division clubs such as Omsk FC Irtysh, WFC Ufa and the Yenisei sports club. As a member of the team of the Siberian Federal University Team, Trushkina had earned the honour of becoming the national indoor football champion.
The Siberian Federal University team at the University World Cup – Football in Jinjiang 2019