Russian Skicross Racer Endures Broken Spine
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Richard Heathcote/Getty Images(KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia) — Russian Olympic skicross racer Maria Komissarova broke her spine while on a training run at the PSX Olympic skicross venue at Rosa Kuhtor.
Komissarova went through 6 1/2 hours of surgery which the Russian Freestyle Federation spokesman Mikhail Vezhba called “successful.”
The national freestyle ski association said in a statement that a metal implant has been inserted into Komissarova’s spine and that she is in “grave” but stable condition. The statement when on to say Komissarova would likely need more surgery within weeks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Komissarova in the hospital Saturday night, according to the Russian Presidential website.
The 23-year-old Komissarova came in second at a 2012 World Cup event in Switzerland but wasn’t expected to contend for a medal in Sochi.
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