Markert is honored by IOC President Bach

Markert and his son, as well as partner, died in a Swiss plane crash

World Sailing CEO Graham describes Markert’s death as a devastating loss

By Ossian Shimmer

PYLOS (GREECE), March 19, 2019 - On Wednesday, the Olympic community paid tributes to World Sailing Vice-President Line Markert after she, her partner and their son died in a plane accident in Switzerland.

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), honoured Markert for his contribution to sport during the opening session of the 144th Session.

Markert and her partner Andreas Christensen were returning home from a skiing trip on Monday when their private plane crashed shortly after takeoff.

Quanhai LI, President of World Sailing said: "This is a terrible tragedy and a shock." "We are thinking of Line and Andreas’s family and their friends during this unimaginably hard time.

Line was a remarkable person who was known and respected by the global sailing community.

World Sailing CEO David Graham called Markert’s death a devastating blow for the sport.

Graham stated that Line was a remarkable person. She was humble, selfless and exceptionally competent. Her contribution to sailing in Denmark as well as within World Sailing was significant.

Line was a woman who took her expertise and authority very lightly. Line was a lady who worked collegiately for the good of sailing. She will be greatly missed. (Editing by Peter Rutherford)

(source: Reuters)