Double Olympic synchronised swimming champion Maria Shurochkina is in a serious condition in hospital after suffering severe burns when her clothing caught fire at her luxury apartment in Moscow. The 31-year-old was rushed to hospital after the incident at her four-bedroom penthouse.
Incident at Moscow penthouse
Shurochkina was refilling a bioethanol fireplace in her home when flammable vapours ignited, setting her clothing ablaze. She was later found writhing and screaming in agony in the stairwell of the building.
Doctors are battling to save her life after she suffered potentially life-threatening complications, including burn shock, dehydration and infection. Her condition was initially reported as "moderate" but has since deteriorated to "serious", according to Mash, a Russian Telegram channel.
Extent of injuries and hospital care
The swimming star reportedly sustained severe damage to the skin on her head, neck, chest, abdomen, arms and hands. It is believed that doctors are concerned she may have suffered tissue necrosis, the death of damaged skin and underlying tissue.
Shurochkina was rushed to the Sklifosovsky Emergency Research Institute in central Moscow, a facility specialising in emergency medical care and burn trauma. The Russian Aquatic Sports Federation confirmed she had been taken to hospital, adding that officials had been in touch with both the medical facility and her family.
Career and background
Shurochkina claimed gold in synchronised swimming at both the 2016 and 2021 Games. She stepped away from competitive swimming four years ago to pursue a career in entertainment, appearing in aquatic theatre productions and taking up dancing.
Reflecting on her retirement, she said: "I felt like a lost child who didn't know where to go or what to do next." She received the Order of Friendship and the Order of Honour from Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2016 and 2021 respectively.
Earlier this year, Shurochkina took to the stage at the State Kremlin Palace in a production choreographed by dancer Ildar Gainutdinov. Her half-sister, Nyusha, whose real name is Anna Shurochkina, is one of Russia's biggest pop sensations. The two siblings competed in and triumphed during the second season of the reality TV show, Treasures of the Emperor, last year.
