OI champion Smetanina taken to St. Petersburg for treatment after stroke

Olympic champion in cross-country skiing Raisa Smetanina, who suffered a massive stroke, will undergo further treatment at the Almazov Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where she was transferred by specialists. This was announced on December 17 by Ruslan Semenyuk, President of the Komi Republic Cross-Country Skiing Federation.

He noted that all the last days the organization is very worried about the famous 72-year-old skier. And wished her health and strength for recovery.

"On behalf of myself personally, all skiers and residents of our country who are not indifferent to skiing, I want to thank the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Mikhail Albertovich Murashko, who helped to organize further treatment of Raisa Petrovna in the Almazov Medical Center in St. Petersburg," - indicated Semenyuk in his Telegram-channel.

The head of the federation also noted that he was grateful to Rostislav Goldstein, the deputy head of the Komi Republic, who showed support and responsiveness. The official has been keeping the situation under his personal control since the very first day.

Earlier, on 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.

The next day, her brother Fyodor Smetanin said that the athlete opens her eyes, eats, but does not speak. Her right side is paralyzed - her arm does not work. In turn, the source of "Izvestia" on December 16 noted that Smetanina is in intensive care after a stroke in a stable serious condition. According to the interlocutor, she sometimes opens her eyes.

Raisa Smetanina won 10 Olympic medals during her performances in skiing. Four of them were gold medals. In addition, she has been on the second step of the OI podium five times and once on the third step. In addition, Smetanina has a lot of awards received at the World Championships.