Former Canadian Olympic skiing star John Smart is mourning his son, who has died weeks after the young man was injured in an avalanche.
In a post on social media, Smart revealed 23-year-old Kai had died on Monday after being buried in an avalanche in Japan earlier this month.
Kai had been hospitalized in a coma since the incident and was transferred to Vancouver for emergency treatment last week.
“It is with immense sadness that we have to let you know that our kind, brave and beautiful son and brother Kai is no longer with us,” John Smart posted on Tuesday.
“We are beyond heartbroken and there are no words to describe the pain we are feeling losing him so young.”
Kai was athlete and filmmaker
In the post, John remembered his son as an adventurous spirit and gifted athlete — excelling in skiing, surfing, dirt biking, climbing, and kite surfing.
Kai also was a filmmaker, recently having completed his first ski film titled Tien Shan Dream.
“Kai was a warrior, a mountain man, an explorer of the world, a lover of people of all walks of life, an inspiration to so many, an honour student, a passionate skier, surfer, dirt biker, climber, kitesurfer and so much more,” John continued in his post.
“He lived life to the fullest every single day, with joy, curiosity and intensity, and experienced more in his short time than most do in a lifetime. He truly was a bright light, and his energy — his excitement for life and for learning — touched everyone who knew him.
“He was always searching for the road less travelled, drawn to new places, new ideas, and new experiences. When he wasn’t outside pushing his limits, he was constantly learning, researching, and engaging with the world.”
Smart also noted that Kai’s organs were donated to help four people.
Who is John Smart?
John Smart, 61, is a retired freestyle skier who competed for Canada at the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics. He placed fifth in the moguls in 1992 and seventh in 1994.
During his career, Smart competed in 110 World Cup moguls events, winning 17 medals including two golds. He also reached the finals at four world championships.
He was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 2003 in the builder/coach category thanks to his Smart Mogul Skiing camps, which he founded in 1992 and are now the largest summer ski camps in North America.