Maddie Bowman pays tribute to Sarah Burke

American skier Maddie Bowman has paid tribute to the late Sarah Burke after winning gold in the first ever women's free ski half-pipe event at the Winter Olympic Games.

Canadian Burke pushed to get freestyle skiing events included in the Olympics before she died in a training accident two years ago.

After her win, Bowman told reporters: "Sarah's inspired us on snow and off snow.

"I think she would have been very proud of how all the girls rode tonight.

"I sure hope I and everyone else made her proud because we would not be here without her."

Earlier in the Sochi Games, the IOC banned helmet sticker tributes to Burke.