The son of former Canadian Olympic freestyle skier John Smart has tragically died at the age of 23 after being buried by an avalanche while he was in Japan. Kai Smart, a filmmaker, was left in a coma and flown to Vancouver via air ambulance for treatment last week but eventually succumbed to his injuries. In a statement, Smart said 'the severe lack of oxygen he (Kai) endured during the avalanche had destroyed any chance of recovery.' Smart competed in two Winter Olympics for Canada, in 1992 in Albertville and 1994 in Lillehammer. Among those to pay tribute to Kai was Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy.

Source: Daily Mail March 25, 2026 13:19 UTC