Roman Kostomarov, the Olympic ice dancing champion, has spoken about a forthcoming surgery to install a prosthetic arm. His comments were reported by Match TV and shed light on his ongoing journey with adaptive technology and recovery.
He noted that a bionic prosthesis is produced in Russia and that another operation to restore function in his other arm is planned alongside a future cosmetic procedure. Looking into the mirror, Kostomarov says, he still sees a person who can do everyday things. He can open a car door or a refrigerator without a prosthesis, and he continues to perform many tasks with his existing limb. Yet he emphasizes that technological advances should not stagnate, hinting at his aspirations for even more capable solutions as science progresses.
Earlier in January 2023, Kostomarov experienced a grave health crisis after an outdoor performance. He was hospitalized and placed in intensive care, requiring mechanical ventilation due to pneumonia. His condition was described as extremely serious, and he was transported to Kommunarka Hospital where he underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. During this critical period, the injuries led to the amputation of both feet and hands as part of the life-saving measures taken to preserve his overall health.
By July 2023, Kostomarov had moved forward in his recovery, and he left the hospital. On June 26, he shared the first video of himself training using prosthetic devices. Later, on August 22, he and his wife, Oksana, joined Ilya Averbukh’s ice show Love Letters in Sochi. It marked his first appearance on the ice before an audience since his hospital stay, signaling a remarkable return to skating activities under new circumstances.
In his career, Kostomarov skated alongside Tatyana Navka, achieving the status of Olympic champion in 2006. His accolades extend beyond the Olympics to two world championships, three European titles, three victories at the Grand Prix Final, and three Russian national championships. He has been honored with the title of Honored Master of Sports of Russia, reflecting a distinguished record in figure skating and his influence on the sport.
There have been moments when Kostomarov faced public scrutiny or mockery related to his situation, but the focus remains on his resilience and ongoing contributions to the sport and to conversations about adaptive sports and technology. His experience continues to inspire discussions about the role of medical innovation in enabling athletes to pursue high-level competition after life-changing injuries.