Olympic skier Bode Miller’s toddler daughter drowns in pool

The 19-month-old daughter of US Olympic skier Bode Miller has drowned in a Southern California swimming pool, authorities said.

Emeline Miller died at a hospital in Orange County, California on Sunday, the day after paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive her after the drowning incident.

In a video, Emmy, as she was known, was being kissed on the cheek by her mother Morgan, a professional beach volleyball player, as she repeatedly said, “Hi Dada.”

“Never in a million years did we think we would experience a pain like this,” Miller said in the post.

“Her love, her light, her spirit will never be forgotten. Our little girl loved life and lived it to its fullest every day.”

The death was under investigation, Orange County sheriff’s spokeswoman Carrie Braun said.

Paramedics were called to a home in Coto de Caza just before 6.30pm on Saturday, said Captain Tony Bommarito of Orange County Fire Authority.

They tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate the girl and took her to accident and emergency, Bommarito said.

“They had no pulses the whole way,” Bommarito said. “It didn’t end well.”

The US Ski and Snowboard Team tweeted its condolences to Miller and his family.

Miller, 40, is the most decorated male US skier, with 33 World Cup wins, two overall titles, four world championships and six Olympic medals, including gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games in the super-combined.

Despite his skill on skis, he has been known at times for eye-raising comments and behaviour, claiming he had raced in a World Cup event while still drunk from partying the night before.

Miller, who has three other children, asked for privacy for the family in his Instagram post.