Figure skating star Katarina Witt has bid farewell to her late coach Jutta Müller with touching words. Müller was an "extraordinary woman, a unique coach and grand dame of the international skating world". "She has been very deep in my heart for 28 years and became part of my family," said the 57-year-old on Friday when asked by the German Press Agency. With her coach, she celebrated two Olympic victories in 1984 and 1988 as well as four World Championship and six European Championship titles. Jutta Müller died on Thursday at the age of 94.
When she received the sad news, she did what her coach had taught her. "First of all, fulfill my obligations and function," said Witt. She had received many emotional, respectful and beautiful messages from friends, former ice colleagues, fans and companions. "All full of admiration, admiration and respect for her life's work," she said. "I couldn't talk to anyone, my heart is too sad."
More importantly, she had "thousands of pictures" of memories in her head. "Many of them shared the world with us, many of them belong only to us. The endless hours of training, the athlete with her coach. Shared triumphs and lonely tears," said Kati Witt, who enchanted the Olympic world with her "Carmen" free skate to music from Georges Bizet's opera of the same name at the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary.
Jutta Müller was her coach, mentor and teacher for 20 years. "She challenged and encouraged me. Unyielding in the matter, but fair and always with a fervent passion," said Witt, adding: "Starting today, teach the angels how to skate and please feel free to share a piece of cake with them." Witt had been addressing her coach as "sibling" until the end.
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