Tarasova responded to Guberniev’s words about recognizing Kostomarov as athlete of the year

Olympic champion Roman Kostomarov deserves not only the title of “Athlete of the Year”, but also “Person of the Year,” says Honored Figure Skating Coach of the USSR Tatyana Tarasova. So, in a conversation with Lenta.ru, she responded to sports commentator Dmitry Guberniev, who doubted the fairness of the decision.

“I think it’s right that he was recognized as athlete of the year. At the same time, I agree that he is the man of the year. A novel can be given several nominations at once, if there are any. What he experienced this year was horror and a nightmare. He has always proven this and proved that he is a strong person and athlete. He fights every day,” the coach said.

TV presenter Dmitry Guberniev in his Telegram channel doubted that figure skater Roman Kostomarov deserves the title “Athlete of the Year”. He supported the opinion of journalist Vladimir Ivanov, who considered it more logical to call him “Man of the Year” or “Overcoming the Year.” “I completely agree with the author! Moreover, Kostomarov himself is surprised! You told me the day before! We are simply not a sports country at all. Alas. Especially today,” Guberniev wrote.

On December 21, VTsIOM published the results of a survey, according to which the rating of athletes of the year, according to Russians, was headed by Roman Kostomarov.

In January, Kostomarov was hospitalized with pneumonia and flu. Due to the prolonged connection to the ventilator and the oxygen saturation of his blood, his tissue began to die. Doctors amputated both feet of the skater, then the shins of both legs, the entire hand of his right hand and several fingers of his left. Later, he was fitted with prosthetic legs and right arm. Despite this, the athlete resumed training and even went on the ice again.