Roman Kostomarov for the first time after the amputation of the feet and hands appeared before the audience during the show “Letters of Love” in Sochi. The skater took to the ice in shoes during the performance of his wife Oksana Domnina. According to the ex-world champion, her husband really wanted her to continue doing what she loved, and he himself agreed to participate in the project of Ilya Averbukh. As the choreographer noted, the new program was created for a colleague who got into a difficult situation and consists of a large number of dramatic numbers.
Roman Kostomarov continues to amaze fans and fans of figure skating with his courage and willpower. The Olympic champion on Tuesday, August 22, for the first time after the amputation of the feet and hands, appeared before the audience on Ilya Averbukh’s show “Letters of Love”.
He went out on the ice in shoes at the end of his wife Oksana Domnina’s number. The couple hugged and left the arena together to loud applause from the audience. After the show, Roman addressed the audience with words of gratitude.
“Thank you for the warm wishes! All of you were worried, as was our entire big team, along with Ilya Averbukh. I felt it all, I saw it all, and I am grateful to you for it. Thanks a lot. May everyone be happy and healthy, be attentive to your health, all the best to you, ”said the athlete.
Also on topic
“Happy to be alive”: Kostomarov touchingly said goodbye to the staff of the hospital in Kommunarka before discharge
Roman Kostomarov returned home after 175 days of treatment at a hospital in Kommunarka. Olympian with multiple amputations…
According to Averbukh, the idea of the show came to him long ago, shortly after Kostomarov was admitted to the hospital. The Olympic champion should be participating in a tour of Russia along with the rest of the skaters, and after Roman was in intensive care, the organizers even wanted to cancel everything, but changed their minds at the last moment.
“We decided that the tour would be dedicated to him. In each hall, letters of love were collected from our viewers. They put out boxes where people put their letters after each show. They handed over everything to Roma and Oksana. Then the disease began to recede, they began to communicate with Roma. He once told me that Oksana should return to the ice. This shows his great strength, – RIA Novosti quotes Averbukh. – Then the idea was born that it was in Sochi that the premiere of our show “Letters of Love” should be given. I wanted the whole program to be for Roma. Now this is very important. I tried to make a theater program, more for adults. There are many dramatic numbers where you need not only to applaud and be touched. I think the audience felt it, despite the rest.
At the same time, the choreographer noted that he “carefully suggested” Kostomarov to participate in the show himself, and he agreed without hesitation.
“I have been to his house many times. We thought about how best to present it. Roma was present at all training sessions, and the final was born from the history of letters, ”added Averbukh.
As it turned out, it was very important for the Olympic champion that after all that had happened, his wife Oksana, the 2009 world champion and the bronze medalist of the 2010 Games, began to speak to the audience again and returned to normal life.
“I think everyone saw perfectly what emotions we had. Of course, this is our joint decision. Roma wanted me to return to the ice. And I am very glad that we are here together, our whole family is here. It is a great happiness that we have come here,” said Domnina.
The appearance of Kostomarov on the ice was an event not only for the audience, but also for other participants in the show. According to Tatyana Totmianina, at that moment “everyone was standing and crying behind the scenes.”
“You need to have the strength of mind not only to get out of that state and return to life, but also to take a step onto the ice, to step over yourself. To allow your spouse to be in her world again, to be distracted from this misfortune that happened. In any case, huge respect and support. I think this is also significant for the audience. Everything is possible in this life, the main thing is to have a desire, ”said the Olympic champion in a comment to Sport24.
Olympic champion Maxim Marinin, who took part in the show in Sochi, admitted that he also could not hold back his tears.
“Honestly, I sobbed backstage when I saw Kostomarov return to the ice and go to his wife. I cannot imagine what his family endured in those moments when Roman was on the verge of life and death, what Oksana was going through. The family and he himself passed a great test. People did everything in their power, they coped. And now we see how the man is with us again, again on the ice. He had the strength and courage to return. It’s amazing. So after performing on the show, I was emotionally devastated, ”said Marinin RT.
Three-time Olympic champion Irina Rodnina, in turn, was not surprised by the appearance of Roman in the show.
“Recently, I have been following Kostomarov very carefully. How he trains, how he goes through recovery. And I can say that he does it with the same persistence with which he once prepared for the Olympic Games. So his appearance in public did not really surprise me. I knew he would return. And the appearance of Roman Kostomarov on the ice is the right step. After all, he shows all people an example of how you can emerge victorious from the most hopeless situation. Kostomarov has become an idol for many, ”said the interlocutor of RT.
Also on topic
Zhulin’s anniversary, Kostomarov’s training and Zagitova’s recognition: what is being discussed in the world of figure skating
Alexander Zhulin celebrated his 60th birthday and received touching congratulations from Tatyana Navka. Roman Kostomarov published the first video with…
The State Duma deputy also noted that the Olympic champion should not rush to return to the ice as a figure skater.
“It seems to me that now he should devote more time to rehabilitation. Because it is very difficult to return to normal life after such life tests. Even despite the good condition and mood. This is a long way, ”Rodnina emphasized.
At the same time, according to commentator Dmitry Guberniev, Kostomarov may win more than one Paralympic Games in the future if the Russians are allowed to participate.
“I am no longer surprised by anything. Kostomarov is an example for all of us. Incredible vitality, perseverance! He was a great athlete and still is. When we say “an inflexible person, an inflexible sports spirit, an incredible will”, it’s all about Roman. I love and respect him endlessly. I know him well, I was his fan on the ice when he performed. Now, of course, I’m keeping a close eye on what’s going on. And I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he was skating, skiing, sledding, anywhere! When we say “a person with limitless possibilities” in the context of our Paralympic athletes, this is Kostomarov, ”the commentator explained in a conversation with Match TV.
She expressed the hope that Kostomarov would be able to skate, and the honored coach of the USSR Tatyana Tarasova.
“I told you that he would go on the ice. Of course, there is a possibility that in the future he will be able to skate. He makes us so happy. Unique person. We are happy for him. The whole country prayed, stood on its knees, everyone had candles lit. Plus the incredible tenacity of his wife, doctors. Amazing. Great joy, ”said the specialist.
