OI champion Raisa Smetanina is unconscious and connected to a ventilator

Raisa Smetanina, a four-time Olympic champion in cross-country skiing as a member of the USSR national team, is unconscious in the intensive care unit and has been connected to an artificial lung ventilation (ALV) machine. This was reported on December 15 by the President of the Federation of Cross-Country Skiing of the Komi Republic Ruslan Semenyuk.

"Raisa Smetanina, the first athlete in history to win ten Olympic medals, is in intensive care in extremely serious condition, connected to an artificial lung ventilation machine and unconscious. Let's pray for her recovery, for her health, for her life!" - wrote Semenyuk in his Telegram-channel.

He reminded that Smetanina is a legend not only of the Komi Republic, but of the whole ski sport. The President of the Federation thanked the doctors who are fighting for the life of the champion.

On the eve, December 14, the representative of the Komi Republic Ski Racing Federation Konstantin Sobyanin said that about a week ago the skier had a stroke and went into intensive care. Sobyanin then pointed out that the champion is conscious, but doctors do not predict how her condition will change further.

Raisa Smetanina won ten Olympic medals during her performances in skiing. Four of them were gold medals. In addition, she has five times occupied the second step of the podium of the Olympic Games and once - the third. In addition, Smetanina has a lot of awards received at the World Championships.