Steffens said in an interview with The Associated Press that she was “really close” to Lulu and that her late sister-in-law was a person who brought people together.
The athlete, who wed her husband in November 2023, said that on Friday, July 26, during the opening ceremony, she paid tribute to her late sister-in-law by releasing a bouquet of flowers into the Seine River.
In addition, she said that her teammates have given her “a really big support system” as she processes the unexpected defeat. “I’ve been obviously really struggling, and my husband as well, and his entire family,” she said.
Steffens calls the experience a “nightmare,” adding that the family wants to see Lulu “proud every single day.”
Adam Krikorian, the coach of Team USA, also discussed the heartbreaking news, saying it was “a shock for everyone”.
