Olympic champion 'in critical condition after having foot and fingers amputated'

28 February 2023 , 14:33

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Kostomarov after winning gold in Turin in 2006 (Image: Getty Images)

A Russian Olympic champion is reportedly in a critical condition in hospital after having his foot and several fingers amputated.

Ice dancer Roman Kostomarov, 46, was admitted to hospital on January 10 with an advanced cold, which was assumed to be Covid-19.

According to reports in Russia, that developed into pneumonia and Kostomarov required ventilators to keep him alive. He was then transferred to Kommunarka in Moscow for specialist care, but his condition did not improve.

Doctors made the decision to amputate one of his feet and several fingers due to circulatory issues and gangrene. It's reported Kostomarov was then placed into an induced coma after a stroke and second brain haemorrhage that impacted his sight.

After initially fighting for his life, Kostomarov is understood to have shown some progress and has been brought out of his coma.

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Kostomarov performed at shows throughout the winter despite having a cough, reportedly taking drugs to mask the pain. But he will remain out of action for the foreseeable future as he remains under constant care.

He had been due to feature at the 25-city Ice Age show in the spring. Director of the project Ilya Averbukh said: "We planned [the show in Moscow], the date of March 4 was reserved, but when the year began with such tragic events, we were busy with other things. I realised that I can’t do a show in this state, it’s impossible to prepare. We canceled the Moscow show."

Kostomarov with dance partner Tatiana Navkaduring the 2006 Winter Olympics (Bongarts/Getty Images)

Other shows across Russia are set to go ahead without Kostomarov.

Kostomarov claimed Winter Olympic gold at the Turin Games in 2006 alongside Tatiana Navka following their World Championship victories in 2004 and 2005.

He retired from competing in 2006. Kostomarov is married to fellow Russian ice dancer Oksana Domnia and the pair have two children together - daughter Anastasia, 12 and son Ilya, seven.

James Whaling