OREANDA-NEWS  Olympic figure skating champion Roman Kostomarov has been named the athlete of the year 2023 in Russia, according to the results of VTSIOM polls.

Eight percent of the respondents chose the former figure skater. Figure skater Kamila Valieva came in second place, with five percent voting for her. The third place was taken by hockey player Alexander Ovechkin, skier Alexander Bolshunov, as well as figure skaters Evgenia Medvedeva and Alexandra Trusova, who each have two percent of the votes.

The voting was conducted by telephone. 1.6 thousand Russians over the age of 18 participated in it. Respondents could suggest up to three names.

In January, Kostomarov was hospitalized with pneumonia and influenza B. Due to prolonged connection to a blood oxygen saturation device and a ventilator, tissue death began. Doctors amputated both feet of the skater, then the shins of both legs, the entire right hand and several fingers of the left. He was later fitted with prosthetics on his legs and right arm.

After installing prosthetics, Kostomarov continued to actively engage in sports. On December 17, he went skating on the ice and showed a joint number with Tatiana Navka.