Singer Anna Semenovich has spoken in a candid interview on a popular online channel to address claims attributed to her former partner, Roman Kostomarov, regarding his health and alleged drinking. She asserted that the statements were taken out of context and that rumors about his supposed alcoholism were unfounded and harmful. According to Semenovich, after competitions there was wine and banter among teammates, which she described as a normal part of the sport’s culture when athletes are training and competing together. She emphasized that she never accused Kostomarov of being an alcoholic or a bad person, calling the headlines scandalous and distressing to read. The incident, she noted, had been misconstrued and caused unnecessary suffering for both parties involved.
Historically, Kostomarov and Semenovich achieved a notable result by placing second at the Russian Championships in 2000. After that season, Kostomarov formed a new partnership with Tatyana Navka, embarking on a subsequent chapter in his skating career.
Since early January, Kostomarov had been hospitalized, with reports indicating he was admitted to intensive care due to pneumonia and required artificial lung ventilation. His condition was described as serious during the initial phase of hospitalization. Medical updates later noted that he was transferred to a clinic for further treatment, where he received advanced life support including ECMO.
On February 7, reports from TASS indicated that Kostomarov underwent amputation of both legs, with subsequent releases confirming additional finger amputations. These developments marked a dramatic turn in the athlete’s health trajectory and prompted ongoing updates from medical authorities and state agencies.
Elena Vesnina later referred to Kostomarov as a hero in the context of his medical journey, underscoring the public’s admiration for his resiliency and the attention his case drew from fans and the sports community. This sentiment framed the broader conversation around the challenges faced by elite athletes when severe health issues arise and how supporters respond during such difficult times.