Renowned figure skating coach Alexander Zhulin expressed strong belief in the possibility of organizing a skating routine for Olympic champion Roman Kostomarov, who has endured multiple amputations. His optimism is presented as guidance to fans of Sports Express.
Zhulin stated with conviction that the current circumstances make such a performance feasible. He even hinted at a future showcase featuring Kostomarov alongside Tatyana Navka. He acknowledged these as his personal fantasies but insisted they could become reality, suggesting a live show might occur soon.
In early January 2023, Kostomarov was hospitalized after performing at an open air show during New Year celebrations. Reports indicated he faced a critical condition in intensive care due to pneumonia and required ventilation. He received treatment at Kommunarka, and portions of both his upper and lower limbs were amputated during his recovery.
By July 2023, Kostomarov was released from the hospital. On June 26, he shared the first video showing him training while using prosthetics. On August 22, Kostomarov and his wife Oksana appeared at Ilya Averbukh’s ice show titled Love Letters in Sochi. It marked his return to the ice in front of spectators since his hospitalization.
After the amputation period, Kostomarov also transitioned into coaching, applying his experience to mentoring other athletes in the sport.