The Olympic ice dancing champion Tatyana Navka offered heartfelt congratulations to Roman Kostomarov on his Telegram channel, sending a message that reflected both admiration and hope. Her words highlighted endurance and a fierce will to live, applauding the strength of his spirit and his ongoing determination. Navka encouraged him to stay happy, healthy, and energized, underscoring a balance of physical vigor and inner resilience that has inspired many in the skating community and beyond. These notes of support came from a longtime partner and close colleague, reinforcing the sense of unity that marks the world of elite pairs skating. Source attribution: Navka’s message is reported by multiple outlets.
Backstage at a recent event, Kostomarov made a notable return to the ice. On December 17, he appeared during the show Together and Forever, staged with choreographer Ilya Averbukh. He skated toward the end of his wife Domnina’s exhibition routine alongside Maxim Shabalin, performing a segment from Carmen—an excerpt associated with the pair that won the 2006 Olympic title in Turin. The moment underscored the couple’s long history and Kostomarov’s persistent presence in the sport, even as his path has included serious medical challenges. The performance drew attention for its emotional resonance and symbolic meaning in the broader story of resilience in Olympic skating. Source attribution: event coverage from skating media.
Earlier, at the start of January 2023, Kostomarov faced a grave health crisis that required hospitalization. He spent time in intensive care, battling pneumonia and requiring mechanical ventilation to aid his breathing. He was transported to a hospital in Kommunarka for specialized care, where doctors made the decision to initiate an advanced life-support technique known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, to support his blood oxygen levels. After a period on that system, he continued to rely on a ventilator as his condition slowly stabilized. In the course of this struggle, medical teams carried out procedures to address severe circulatory and limb health concerns, including amputations of portions of his arms and legs. The experience highlighted the severity of his illness and the arduous road that followed, a journey that tested his family’s strength and the devotion of the medical staff who cared for him. Source attribution: hospital reports and medical briefings.
In the years since these events, Kostomarov’s public appearances have remained guided by a narrative of perseverance. Observers note that he has continued to participate in events and to contribute to the sport in meaningful ways, even while facing lasting consequences from the illness. The emphasis across accounts is not only on what happened, but on what comes next: ongoing recovery, physical adaptation, and the pursuit of goals that keep him connected to figure skating. The broader conversation surrounding his case has touched on the advances in medical technology and rehabilitation that enable athletes to push forward after life-altering health events. Source attribution: medical and sports analysis pieces.