Olympic ice dancing champion Roman Kostomarov spoke openly about a health crisis that started while he was performing and did not immediately reveal how serious things had become. In a candid interview on First Channel, he explained that he initially underestimated the illness because painkillers dulled the warning signals. He trained through twenty performances while relying on medication, not realizing how deeply the body was reacting to the stress and infection. He described a cycle where pain relief blurred the boundaries between routine fatigue and a warning signal that deserved attention. The surrounding environment played a role too: the atmosphere on the ice, the cheering crowds, and contact with others who were unwell all contributed to a weakening immune response. He admitted that the pills lulled him into believing everything would return to normal, even though his body was telling him something far more serious. He emphasized that he had skated while sick before, and that did not feel supernatural or extraordinary at the time; it simply felt like another day on the ice, which in hindsight seems reckless and unwise. He conveyed a quiet lesson about listening to one’s body and not forgetting that illness in high-performance sport can escalate quickly when external pressures push an athlete to push through pain.
At the start of January 2023, Kostomarov was hospitalized following New Year performances at an outdoor show. Reports indicated that he had fallen into a critical state, requiring intensive medical care due to pneumonia and the need for assisted breathing. His condition was described as extremely serious, prompting life-saving measures and continuous monitoring. He received treatment at a major medical center and later moved to specialized care facilities where his condition gradually stabilized. The process involved a comprehensive medical approach to manage infection, respiratory support, and the complex challenges that accompany a serious illness in a high-performance athlete. Over the ensuing months, medical teams worked to restore function and manage complications that arose as part of the recovery journey. The narrative of resilience during a period of intense treatment became a focal point for supporters and the broader skating community, underscoring the fragility and strength that can exist side by side in elite sport.
As the year progressed, medical updates highlighted a difficult path toward rehabilitation. Parts of both arms and legs were affected, and difficult decisions were made in an effort to preserve life and improve long-term health. The medical team coordinated a plan that included surgery when necessary, intensive rehabilitation, and a gradual return to daily activities. By the beginning of July 2023, Kostomarov had been discharged from hospital, marking a significant milestone in the recovery process. The transition from hospital care to ongoing outpatient therapy signaled cautious optimism about regaining motor function and independence. The journey illustrated the tough choices and the unwavering resolve that comes with confronting life-altering illness with the support of family, teammates, and medical professionals.
On August 22, Kostomarov appeared publicly on the ice for the first time since the health crisis, joining his husband on the ice during Ilya Averbukh’s Love Letters show. The moment carried immense emotional weight for fans and the skating community, serving as a symbol of perseverance and the unbreakable bond between athletes and their partners. By December 2023, Kostomarov returned to the ice wearing a prosthesis, an adjustment that marked another substantial step in his rehabilitation. The prosthetic allowed him to participate in performances in new ways and to explore how sport, mobility, and artistry could blend after such life-changing events. The public appearances were seen as a testament to gradual progress, as well as a reminder of the ongoing nature of recovery that many athletes face when setbacks occur in the prime of their careers.
Previously, Ilya Averbukh had hinted that viewers could expect to see Kostomarov in forthcoming gala performances, signaling continued involvement in the skating world even as the recovery progressed. The broader conversation around Kostomarov’s case focused on resilience, medical care, and the role of a supportive community in sustaining athletes through extreme challenges. The experiences shared by Kostomarov and his collaborators underscored the importance of careful health monitoring, timely medical intervention, and the patience required to rebuild strength and confidence after a life-altering illness. The narrative remains one of determination, with the skating community rallying behind a champion who faced medical adversity with courage and an unwavering commitment to returning to the ice at the highest level.