Olympic champion 'could lose hands' after having feet amputated due to pneumonia

09 February 2023 , 14:58

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Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov perform during the 2006 Winter Olympics (Image: Bongarts/Getty Images)

Russia’s Olympic ice dance icon Roman Kostomarov may now reportedly lose his hands after undergoing surgery to amputate his feet after contracting severe pneumonia.

The multiple world and European champion famously won ice dancing gold with Tatiana Navka at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy, but last month was admitted to an intensive care unit at a hospital in Moscow’s Kommunarka district.

He was placed in a medically-induced coma and facing the threat of sepsis and issues with blood circulation, surgeons removed both of Kostomarov’s feet. But now Russia’s official state media agency TASS has said further amputation may yet take place.

"Roman is conscious," a source was quoted as saying byTASS. "His general condition is improving. But he continues to be in intensive care under close supervision doctors."

Kostomarov, who turned 46 on Wednesday, is married to Oksana Domnina, herself an ice dancing Olympic medal winner after taking bronze at the 2010 games in Vancouver. And on Instagram, she paid tribute to the 'courage' shown by her husband.

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"Happy birthday, my hero, my strong, my beloved, my champion in everything," she wrote. "I am proud of you, your courage, strength, zeal to win as soon as possible in these difficult moments."

Kostomarov has been diagnosed with severe pneumonia (Getty Images)

"Exactly a year ago, we could not even imagine even in the worst dream that such a revolution in life can happen, but now it is, and we will overcome everything, we will cope with everything. I believe. Just live."

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin told Tass the whole country was wishing the Moscow born star a return to health: "Today I would like to wish him strength and health," he said. "The whole big sports world is worried about Roman and hopes for his speedy recovery.

"The only truly valuable gift that we can all give him is faith. I am sure that the well-coordinated work of specialists, together with the support of relatives and numerous fans, will help to defeat the disease."

Fraser Watson