By Nick Butler

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited skier Maria Komissarova in hospital shortly after her accident in February ©AFP/Getty ImagesRussian freestyle skier Maria Komissarova has a 90 per cent chance of being able to use her legs again after the horrific training incident she suffered during Sochi 2014, but only if she secures funding to enable the treatment to go ahead. 


Komissarova was injured on a series of jumps in the top part of course during a training run ahead of the ski-cross event at the Winter Olympics, when she broke and dislocating her spine and despite a "successful" six-hour operation, was left paralysed from the waist down, with a prospect of never being able to use her legs again.

Soon after, the 23-year-old travelled to Germany to undergo two months of special neuro-rehabilitation treatment in a hospital in Munich.

She has since reportedly been offered the opportunity to receive more treatment in Russia, but is believed to have decided instead to travel to Marbella in Spain with her boyfriend, fellow freestyle skier Alexei Chaadaev, for more treatment.

"Following Maria's return from Germany, we offered the chance to undertake a rehabilitation course at a specialist center not far from Moscow and also at a rehabilitation center in Moscow," said head doctor of the Russian Freestyle Federation Mirzali Samedov.

"The Russian medics who were looking after Komissarova believed this would be the best course to take, while the German specialists who initially looked after her also believed this to be the best course of action.

"However, Maria had different plans, and she, along with her boyfriend, wanted to continue her treatment in Spain.

"They are now at a clinic in Marbella."

Maria Komissarova with boyfriend Alexei Chaadaev during rehabilitation in Munich ©Getty ImagesMaria Komissarova with boyfriend Alexei Chaadaev during rehabilitation in Munich ©Getty Images



But, in a Facebook message on her fan page today, it is claimed the Russian Federation has reneged on their deal to pay the costs for her treatment, despite the fact Komissarova was told they would.

The statement claimed there has been "good news and bad news" today from Komissarova, with the withdrawal of her funding being accompanied by news of the 90 per cent chance that she will be able to use her legs again.

It adds that the treatment in Spain, creating this chance, is costing about €1,500 (/£1,225/$2,070) per day which is being funded by personal finances and charitable donations.

But with the treatment set to last for up to a year, her finances are running low and she can probably only pay for about two weeks of the rehabilitation, it is claimed. 

Komissarova was not considered a serious medal contender, but the highlight of her career before her injury was a World Cup silver medal in Grindelwald in 2012.