Former Olympic medalist Toller Cranston, who broke new ground in figure skating with his flair for the dramatic, has died at the age of 65.
The six-time Canadian men’s champion passed away at his home in Mexico, Canadian skate officials said Saturday.
Cranston won a bronze medal at the 1976 Olympics and the 1974 World Championships.
The colorful Cranston retired from skating and eventually settled in Mexico where he still kept tabs on the sport. He became a huge fan of reigning Olympic silver medalist Patrick Chan.
“I don’t think I could watch him skate live, I’d commit suicide out of depression at how good he is,” Cranston quipped.
Organizers had a moment of silence for Cranston on Saturday night at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships in Kingston, Ontario.
He was elected to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1977.