Stichova and the famous castle where she met her death
The sporting world is in mourning following the tragic death of Natalie Stichova, a 23-year-old Czech gymnast with a stint on the national gymnastics team and as a coach for the youth team. The European fell from a height of 80 metres while trying to take a selfie at the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. The accident occurred on 15 August, when she was visiting the area with her boyfriend and two friends.
Considered a “sports star” in the Czech Republic, she was climbing Tegelberg Mountain, which offers excellent views of Ludwig II’s castle. In an attempt to get the best shot of the iconic landscape, the gymnast got too close to the edge of the mountain and slipped.
According to the Daily Mail, a friend of the deceased recounted how Stichova was looking for the best shot for her selfie when the tragic accident occurred. “Natalie was positioned very close to the edge of the mountain to get the best shot of the image of the castle when she slipped and fell down the slope,” the British newspaper reports, citing the anonymous witness.
Natalie was quickly rescued after the accident and rushed to hospital in Bavaria by helicopter, where she remained in hospital for six days with serious injuries. Her family decided to withdraw life support on August 21, due to the irreversible brain damage she had suffered.
Neuschwanstein Castle, known as “Sleeping Beauty Castle,” stands on a hill in southwestern Bavaria and has served as inspiration for several works of fiction, including the aforementioned Disney film. The castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a place of retreat and has been visited by more than 60 million people to date.
Natalie was on a trip with her boyfriend and two friends
The impact of Stichova’s death has been profound in the world of sport. The Sokol Pribram gymnastics club, where Natalie trained, issued a statement expressing its grief and dismay at the loss of such a promising young woman. “We remember Natalie as a person who spread smiles throughout her short life,” the statement read.
The young woman’s mother also paid an emotional tribute to her daughter through her social networks. On Instagram, she described the gymnast as “an incredible person” and expressed the pride she felt for her. “Natalie had a positive impact on our lives and those of her brothers, and her loss leaves an immense void,” she wrote, according to La Vanguardia.
Meanwhile, the tourism sector has also expressed its sorrow at the tragedy. Neuschwanstein, the destination that attracted Stichova and millions of tourists every year, is now marked by the tragedy of her death. Natalie’s loss has left a deep void in the gymnastics community and among her loved ones. The pain resonated far beyond the borders of the Czech Republic, generating a wave of condolences and tributes in memory of a talented young woman whose life was cut short so suddenly.
“He positioned himself very close to the edge of the mountain to get the best shot of the castle when he slipped and fell down the slope,” said a witness.
