Olympic synchronized swimming champion Maria Shurochkina suffers severe burns in Moscow fire

Maria Shurochkina, a two-time Olympic synchronized swimming champion, sustained severe burns in a fire at her Moscow residence, according to Russian media outlets. The state news agency TASS and the security services-linked Telegram channel Mash reported the incident. Shurochkina, 31, was admitted to the Sklifosovsky Institute for Emergency Medicine for treatment.

A preliminary theory suggests that the fire was caused by a breach of bio-fireplace usage guidelines. The Moskva news agency reported that Shurochkina's clothing caught fire while she was refueling the bio-fireplace. She suffered burns to her arms, chest, head, neck, abdomen, and both hands, with over 30% of her body affected. Doctors have assessed her condition as serious.

The Russian Aquatics Federation conveyed that they were aware of Shurochkina's hospitalization and pledged to provide her and her family with any necessary support. Shurochkina, who has won 11 gold medals at world championships and six at European championships, also claimed Olympic gold in team synchronized swimming in 2016 and 2021. She is the younger sister of Russian pop singer Nyusha, with whom she won the second season of the television show "Sokrovishcha Imperatora ‘The Emperor's Treasures’" on TNT.