Olympic ice dance star Ilya Averbukh weighs in on Kostomarov’s health crisis
Olympic silver medalist in ice dance and a noted ice show producer, Ilya Averbukh, spoke about the challenging situation surrounding Olympic champion Roman Kostomarov, mentioning a voicemail left a few days earlier.
“Regarding the difficult and dramatic circumstances described in recent updates, the situation shows signs of improvement. A voicemail recorded a few days ago expressed gratitude to everyone, and a strong sense of motivation comes through in his voice,” according to RIA Novosti.
Channel Five had previously reported that the skater faced serious liver issues. The report suggested Kostomarov’s liver was strained by the high doses of medication given by doctors, with portions of the organ showing impaired function.
The chief physician of the St. Petersburg private ambulance Koris, Lev Averbakh, weighed in on these claims, outlining possible causes for liver complications.
“Liver failure often occurs as part of multi‑organ failure. When vital organs and systems are overwhelmed, survival becomes uncertain without urgent treatment. The medical team faces a complex challenge in protecting liver function,” he noted.
The situation is described as highly difficult. Kidney issues frequently accompany liver problems, making recovery more challenging when both organs are affected.
Kostomarov showed an unusually strong immune response to the virus amid compromised immunity. Some describe this as a rare individual immune system reaction. The recovery process is lengthy due to his strong physical build. A rival athlete might not have endured such a course. In simple terms, it resembles an allergic response of the body to external factors. There is cautious optimism that doctors will achieve a favorable outcome, as reported by Sport24 citing Averbakh.
On March 24, Moskovsky Komsomolets reported that all fingers on Kostomarov’s left hand were amputated.
“The fingers were removed because they began to turn black, signaling the onset of gangrene in the hand. If the process progresses, urgent amputation of the entire left hand may be necessary. Media updates can occur at any time,” he stated.
Sport-Express noted another amputation operation, reporting that Kostomarov lost not only fingers but also the entire hand. Medical teams suggested that surgical intervention could slow tissue death. The tracheostomy was cleaned to enable connection to a ventilator if needed.
Roman Kostomarov was admitted to hospital in early January. The public learned of the hospitalization on the 10th. The initial reason was pneumonia with complications. The skater was placed in intensive care and connected to artificial lung ventilation, later transitioned to an ECMO device for oxygenation support.
In February, reports indicated a series of amputation surgeries—initially for the feet, followed by removal of several fingers. By mid March, there were further reports of amputations of the lower legs. Attribution: Sport24