Skier Arina Maksimova described the moment of the big collapse during Spartakiad as a terrifying experience, recalling fear and the rapid medical response that followed. She explained that at high speed on a descent, reaching 80 kilometers per hour, the situation became dangerous in an instant. The accident left her shaken, and she described the aftermath: a splint, an injection of anesthesia, and a swift move to the hospital. The medical team acted with urgency, performing a CT scan and proceeding to surgery, all within a few hours. Maksimova noted that she spent around five hours in the hospital before being discharged.
The Spartakiad’s 10-kilometer mass start began on March 8 in Estosadok, a village in the Krasnodar Territory. Harsh weather conditions added to the challenge of the race, and participants faced a significant disruption when a major blockage occurred on one of the fast, high-speed sections of the course. The incident underscored how rapidly alpine events can shift from routine to dangerous in winter sport settings.
In the spring of 2022, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) made a sweeping decision affecting athletes from Russia and Belarus, suspending them from international competitions through the end of the season. That ban was later extended, meaning Russians and Belarusians competed only in local, domestic events rather than on the world stage. The policy had far-reaching implications for elite athletes, national teams, and ongoing international competition calendars, reshaping talent pipelines and opportunities for athletes in these nations.
Earlier remarks by Elena Vyalbe linked the big collapse at Spartakiad to a smaller group of skiers, suggesting a pattern or contributing factors that could explain why such incidents occurred during the event. The discussion around this collapse highlights ongoing concerns about race safety, course design, and the handling of emergencies in high-speed winter sports. [Source: Spartakiad organizers attributed statements; general coverage on event safety and athlete welfare]