How do athletes with multiple sclerosis continue to excel in their sports. What challenges do they face and overcome. How does MS impact athletic performance and training routines. Which famous athletes have been diagnosed with MS and still compete at high levels.

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis: A Challenge for Athletes

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. For athletes, this diagnosis can be particularly challenging, as it may impact physical performance and coordination. However, many athletes have shown that MS does not have to mean the end of their athletic careers.

How does MS affect the body? The disease causes the immune system to attack the protective covering of nerve fibers, leading to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Symptoms can vary widely but may include fatigue, numbness, vision problems, and difficulty with balance and coordination.

Common Symptoms of MS in Athletes

• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Impaired balance and coordination
• Vision problems
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Heat sensitivity

Despite these challenges, many athletes have found ways to adapt their training and compete at high levels. The key lies in understanding one’s body, working closely with medical professionals, and maintaining a positive mindset.

Katherine Ross: A Multi-Sport Athlete’s Journey with MS

Katherine Ross, a 32-year-old multi-sport athlete and adventure racer from New Zealand, exemplifies the resilience and determination of athletes facing MS. Diagnosed with the condition a year ago, Ross refused to let it sideline her racing plans. Instead, she chose to embrace her diagnosis and continue pursuing her passion for sports.

What sports does Katherine Ross participate in? Ross is involved in a variety of disciplines, including:

• Kayaking
• Swimming
• Trail running
• Mountain biking

Her approach to sports and life can be summed up in her own words: “Average but enthusiastic.” This positive attitude has been crucial in her journey with MS.

Ross’s Path to Diagnosis

Interestingly, Ross’s MS diagnosis came about due to a missed race. In late 2017, she was preparing for the Australasian Multisport Champs when she fell ill on the day of the event. While initially attributing her symptoms to food poisoning, she later experienced hearing loss in one ear. After a series of medical tests and consultations, Ross received her MS diagnosis three months later.

How did Ross react to her diagnosis? Initially, like many, she feared the worst. However, she quickly realized that MS doesn’t necessarily mean “life over.” Ross discovered that there is a spectrum of severity in MS cases and that she could have a significant influence on her outcome through proper management and a positive attitude.

Adapting to Life with MS as an Athlete

For athletes like Katherine Ross, adapting to life with MS requires a multifaceted approach. It involves not only physical adjustments but also mental and emotional shifts in perspective.

Key Lessons from Ross’s Experience

1. Recognition of prior symptoms: Ross realized that some symptoms she had experienced in the months leading up to her diagnosis, such as numbness in her wrists and hands, were likely early signs of MS rather than overtraining effects.
2. Understanding the spectrum of MS: Learning that MS presents differently in each individual helped Ross maintain a positive outlook.
3. Finding inspiration in others: Ross discovered a community of people accomplishing remarkable feats despite their MS diagnosis.
4. Embracing adaptability: She realized that even if her condition progressed, she could modify her approach to sports and continue pursuing her passions.
5. Maintaining a sense of humor: Ross’s husband helpfully pointed out that her clumsiness predated her MS diagnosis and couldn’t be blamed on the condition.

Famous Athletes Who Have Excelled Despite MS

Katherine Ross is not alone in her determination to continue competing after an MS diagnosis. Several well-known athletes have demonstrated that it’s possible to perform at the highest levels of sport while managing MS.

Chris Wright: NBA Player with MS

Chris Wright made history as the first known NBA player with multiple sclerosis. Diagnosed in 2012 while playing basketball overseas, Wright didn’t let MS stop him from pursuing his dreams. He signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2013, proving that MS doesn’t have to be a career-ending diagnosis for professional athletes.

How does Wright manage his MS while competing? He follows a strict regimen of medication, maintains a healthy diet, and works closely with his medical team to monitor his condition. Wright’s story serves as an inspiration to many athletes facing similar challenges.

Wendy Booker: Mountain Climber and MS Advocate

Wendy Booker was diagnosed with MS in 1998 at the age of 44. Instead of letting the diagnosis defeat her, she embarked on a series of incredible adventures. Booker has climbed the highest peaks on six continents and even participated in the Iditarod dog sled race in Alaska.

What motivates Wendy Booker to push her limits? Booker sees her adventures as a way to inspire others with MS and to prove that the disease doesn’t have to limit one’s aspirations. Her motto, “Never let MS stop you from climbing to new heights,” encapsulates her approach to life with the condition.

Strategies for Athletes Managing MS

Athletes with MS face unique challenges, but with the right strategies, they can continue to train and compete at high levels. Here are some key approaches that have helped many athletes with MS:

1. Personalized Training Plans

How can athletes with MS optimize their training? Working with coaches and medical professionals to create personalized training plans is crucial. These plans should take into account the individual’s specific MS symptoms, energy levels, and recovery needs.

• Incorporate rest days and active recovery sessions
• Monitor fatigue levels and adjust training intensity accordingly
• Focus on quality over quantity in training sessions

2. Temperature Management

Many people with MS experience increased symptoms when their body temperature rises. Athletes can manage this by:

• Training during cooler parts of the day
• Using cooling vests or other cooling equipment during workouts
• Staying well-hydrated before, during, and after exercise

3. Nutrition and Supplementation

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in managing MS symptoms and supporting athletic performance. What dietary strategies can help athletes with MS?

• Focus on anti-inflammatory foods
• Ensure adequate vitamin D intake
• Consider omega-3 fatty acid supplementation
• Stay hydrated to support nervous system function

4. Stress Management and Mental Health

Managing stress is crucial for athletes with MS, as stress can exacerbate symptoms. Techniques that can help include:

• Meditation and mindfulness practices
• Regular sleep schedule
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Building a strong support network

The Role of Technology in Supporting Athletes with MS

Advancements in technology have opened up new possibilities for athletes with MS to monitor their health and optimize their performance. How is technology helping athletes with MS?

Wearable Devices

Smartwatches and other wearable devices can help athletes track important health metrics such as:

• Heart rate variability
• Sleep quality
• Activity levels
• Body temperature

This data can provide valuable insights into an athlete’s overall health and help them make informed decisions about training and recovery.

Adaptive Sports Equipment

For athletes experiencing mobility issues due to MS, adaptive sports equipment can make a significant difference. Examples include:

• Recumbent bicycles
• Specialized wheelchairs for various sports
• Adaptive ski equipment

Virtual Reality Training

Virtual reality (VR) technology is showing promise in helping athletes with MS improve their balance and coordination. How does VR training benefit athletes with MS?

• Provides a safe environment to practice challenging movements
• Offers visual feedback to help improve proprioception
• Can be adjusted to accommodate varying levels of ability

The Importance of Community and Support for Athletes with MS

Having a strong support system is crucial for athletes managing MS. The MS community can provide valuable resources, encouragement, and understanding. How can athletes with MS build and benefit from a supportive community?

Support Groups and Online Communities

Joining MS support groups or online communities can help athletes connect with others facing similar challenges. These groups can provide:

• Emotional support
• Practical tips for managing symptoms
• Information about new treatments and research
• Opportunities to participate in MS-friendly sporting events

Working with MS-Aware Coaches and Trainers

Coaches and trainers who understand the unique challenges of MS can make a significant difference in an athlete’s journey. They can help by:

• Adapting training programs to accommodate MS symptoms
• Providing emotional support and motivation
• Helping athletes set realistic goals and celebrate achievements

Participating in MS-Focused Sporting Events

Many organizations host sporting events specifically for athletes with MS. These events can provide:

• A supportive and understanding environment for competition
• Opportunities to connect with other athletes with MS
• Inspiration and motivation to continue pursuing athletic goals

The Future of Sports for Athletes with MS

As medical research advances and society becomes more inclusive, the future looks bright for athletes with MS. What developments can we expect to see in the coming years?

Advancements in MS Treatment

Ongoing research into MS treatments may lead to more effective ways of managing symptoms and slowing disease progression. This could potentially allow athletes with MS to maintain their performance levels for longer periods.

Increased Visibility and Representation

As more athletes with MS share their stories and compete at high levels, we can expect to see increased visibility and representation in various sports. This visibility can help raise awareness about MS and inspire others with the condition to pursue their athletic dreams.

Integration of Technology and Sports Medicine

The continued integration of technology in sports medicine may lead to more personalized and effective management strategies for athletes with MS. This could include:

• Advanced wearable devices for symptom monitoring
• AI-powered training programs that adapt to an athlete’s changing needs
• Improved adaptive sports equipment

In conclusion, athletes like Katherine Ross and many others have shown that a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis does not have to mean the end of an athletic career. With determination, proper management, and support, athletes with MS can continue to pursue their passions and achieve remarkable feats. As awareness grows and technology advances, we can look forward to a future where MS is seen as a challenge to be managed rather than an insurmountable obstacle in the world of sports.

YES, YOU CAN STILL BE A BADASS ATHLETE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Multi-sport athlete and adventure racer, Katherine Ross, was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis a year ago. It could have sidelined her racing plans. It didn’t.

Here the 32-year-old Kiwi shares a candid account of what her diagnosis meant and how she’s planning even more epic racing, regardless. Big thank you, Kat, for your inspiration and positivity!

I’m Kat.

I am a multisport and adventure racer. Kayaking, swimming, trail running, mountain biking… you name it, I’ll give it a go. ‘Average but enthusiastic’ would be my slogan if I had a clothing line.

I also have multiple sclerosis.

I was an athlete before I was diagnosed, and I immediately decided that it would stay that way – I firmly believe that our limitations are not what defines us. However, the reality of life events such as that means we need to step back, take a look at who we are and how we see ourselves, and decide what is important to us – because there are two ways to respond to a diagnosis of any illness. You can roll over and let it happen to you, or you can pick-up your big girl pants, dust off your knees and get on with it. As that is what this blog is all about – you can guess which kind of girl I am choosing to be!

I haven’t always been so motivated and active, although I have always been a child of nature. I learned to swim before I properly learned to walk, and I ‘fell’ into every body of water I could get access to. I trained as an environmental scientist and marine biologist, with the misguided idea that my life from then on would be a haze of tropical paradise à la Jacques Cousteau. I played water sports through high school, but only expanded into ocean paddling when I lived in the Cook Islands after university. I also met my husband there, and he was a keen cyclist (swam like a rock though) – you can guess what happened next.

Me: “Mountain biking is riding a bike off-road. I can ride a bike. How hard can it be?”

Also me: *Crashes in her first event and puts the chain ring through her calf*

Again, also me: *Resolves to learn to mountain bike properly because it’s clearly a thing and we don’t quit things*.

Luckily for me, I’ve got better at mountain biking (and remote first aid) since then. I’ve also strung together the swimming, ocean paddling, trail running and mountain biking to compete in single discipline and multi-sport events in Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, and the Cook Islands, with plenty more exciting things on the horizon.

My MS diagnosis
Ironically, it was a missed race that led directly to my diagnosis. In late 2017, I was entered into the Australasian Multisport Champs, and was probably the best prepared for an event that I could have asked for. I had had a great run of training, the course suited my strengths and the conditions were shaping up to be my ideal scenario (rough water is good water for me!).

I woke up the morning of the race and felt queasy, but I always get nervous before racing so I ploughed on and began the hour-long drive to the event. By the time we had got there I’d made my husband pull over four times so I could be ill, and couldn’t even hold down water. I ungracefully admitted I’d be cheer squad for the day, and alternated between hurling into bins and giving hubby pointless and annoying tips in transition for his race. After recovering (read: sulking) for three days, I was over what I had blamed as food poisoning, but I’d lost all my hearing on one side. To cut a long story (of specialists and MRIs and hearing tests and steroids) short, three months later I had my hearing back and a diagnosis of MS.

I didn’t know anything substantial about MS when I first started the diagnostic process, and in the beginning my instant terrifying image was of me in a wheelchair. Was I going to decline and be a burden and miss races forever and rot away as a wasted life? Across that process, a few things became apparent:

1. I’d been having possible symptoms of MS for about six months prior (that period of numbness in my wrists and hands wasn’t overtraining in the kayak after all).
2. A diagnosis of MS does not equal ‘life over’. There is a full spectrum of severity, and I have a lot of influence over the outcome (which Type A control freak personalities like me find VERY reassuring).
3. There are an extraordinary group of people out there doing extraordinary inspiring things despite and because of this mixed blessing.
4. Even if decline does occur, it won’t mean I have to give up the things I love. Between medical advances, technology for adaptive sports, and sheer stubbornness, I can reframe and modify just about everything if I need to.
5. My husband would like me to add that my clumsiness is inherent, lifelong, and despite my best efforts cannot be blamed on MS.

By the time I actually had a diagnosis, I was extremely well educated and prepared for it, and had already begun making the life changes necessary to allow me to live well with this. For those who are like I was and not really sure what MS is/does/means, here’s a short version:

MS is an autoimmune disease, like Crohn’s disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – meaning that the body mistakenly attacks itself as an immune response to a perceived foreign invader. In MS, the attacks occur in the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain). If you imagine the nerves in your brain and spine to be like a phone cable, with the wires inside a protective sheath of rubber; MS attacks the protective coating (myelin) and exposes/damages the nerves underneath.

Then, just like your phone cable, they don’t quite transmit the signals as well as they should – or at all. What THIS means is that your individual symptoms depend on where and how bad the damage is – every single person with MS will have a different combination of symptoms and severity. They can range from fatigue to pain to cognitive impacts to vision and mobility impacts to sensory issues and more – I am stunningly grateful that my strength and mobility are largely unaffected and I am working very hard to keep it that way.

Reframing my priorities
I used the words ‘mixed blessing’ above to describe MS, because I have changed and improved massively since my diagnosis and I count myself lucky to have had the opportunity to reframe my priorities in this manner. I now focus on less races by number and more enjoyment; rather than trying to do everything on the race calendar I am scheduling ‘fun blocks’ as well as ‘race prep blocks’.

My MS symptoms fluctuate over time, which is normal, so right now for example I have consistent numbness in my hands (left side more than right), feet (left side from the calf down) and the left side of my face. This can sometimes affect my grip strength/dexterity on the bike and the paddle, so I am particularly careful to brake early on the bike (rear brake lever is on the left and is VERY important in mountain biking) just in case my hand isn’t as quick to respond as I’d like. It also means I have to be careful not to grip my paddle too tight or I will blow up my forearms and elbows on a longer paddle.

Another thing I work really hard on is my biomechanics. When I get tired, my left leg feels a bit heavier and I need to make a conscious effort to lift that foot more when I run so that I don’t pull the whole chain out of alignment and risk an injury. I definitely notice that my symptoms are more intense when I’m neglecting myself – in periods of more sugar/alcohol, less sleep, over-training, or more stress, they are exacerbated. It is the ultimate motivation and physical reminder to prioritise my health above all else!

My nutrition is a huge focus area, and I am constantly learning and reading and researching to support it. My work-life balance prior to diagnosis was pretty good, but it’s been brought to a whole new level now with a renewed focus on what’s really important. Your health, really, is the most important thing – I’ve learned that work or races or relationships or travel or anything else will not happen in the way you want them to if you don’t prioritise your health. I can confidently say that through the lifestyle changes required to live well with MS, I am physically, mentally and emotionally healthier after my diagnosis than I was before. Sounds counterintuitive, but I am an improved version of me because of it.

You CAN be an athlete with MS
When I was diagnosed with MS, one of the first things I looked for was hope – examples of athletes with MS who were getting on and achieving their goals anyway. I didn’t know enough about MS, and I was terrified that I might lose that. However, it turns out there is a whole community out there of people with MS doing amazing things. I was lucky enough to meet lawyers, and health professionals, and athletes; and to connect online with a group of incredible people who are kicking goals and living full and expansive lives in which MS is just a detail. But that important detail is pushing them to prioritise their health and wellness in ways that really should resonate with all of us. I am resolute in my intent to be one of those people, and maybe inspire someone else along the way *crosses fingers*.

In an attempt to do just that, last year I competed in a stage mountain bike race – the Cape to Cape MTB Race – and raised money for MS Research Australia through the preparation and completion of what was a massive personal challenge for me. It was the first multi-day event I’d ever done, I ended up breaking my ankle in training, and I was genuinely terrified of whether my technical skills were up to the task. But as they say, “You cannot be courageous unless you were at first afraid”, and I worked my ass off so that I knew I would at least be fit, if not gnarly!

I was lucky enough with the generosity of friends, family, colleagues and complete strangers to raise $2900 (my goal was $2000) for an organisation who is at the forefront of research into aspects that could materially change my outcomes, as well as help to prevent the next generation from suffering from MS in the way that so many people have and do today. To contribute to that goal was very humbling and extremely motivating in training and racing – shut-up legs; one more hill; think about what you’re achieving. I ended up sobbing with pride and relief on the finish line on Day 4 –  MY LEGS, my imperfect MS legs, had done what I set out to achieve and I was a little overwhelmed (PSA: don’t cry at the finish, that’s where the cameras are).

My biggest, most epic events yet
My 2019 goal events are coming up at an alarming rate. In two days’ time, I’ll be starting the BC Bike Race in North America, a 7 stage mountain bike race across the incredible terrain of British Columbia in Canada; and then when my legs are completely gassed out I’ll be going down to the US to compete in the Gorge Downwind Champs in Oregon – a paddling race with the best female participation rate on the planet.

Women in sport is another key passion for me, and over a quarter of the field will be women (normally for downwind paddling the ratio is about 10%). I am an ambassador for Women Who Paddle in 2019, and I am super-excited to be a part of that event in that capacity. My preparation for these events has been tempered by injury (spinal and sciatic nerve injury from mountain biking, but exacerbated by MS), so my focus has been on quality over quantity. As someone who struggles mentally when restricted, it’s been a real opportunity for me to work on my resilience, reframe my goals (let’s face it, I wasn’t going to win the thing anyway), and dial in the enjoyment and achievement factor.

My goals for the future are simple, and reflect the uncertainty of life that we all go around blithely ignoring most of the time. None of us are guaranteed our time, or our health – there is no ‘life code’ which says any of us will be fit and healthy in our old age to do the things we put off until then because we’re so busy working/paying bills/modern life-ing.

So, I’m not taking anything for granted – I’m taking as much control over my health as I possibly can; and I’m ticking off my list of achievements now. I’m not by any means an elite athlete – but I can try as hard as one. You are capable of far more than you realize, and trying is the first step.

You can follow Kat via www.instagram.com/paddle_kat. To donate to an MS charity, visit www.kissgoodbyetoms.org/donate.

Lina Nielsen: British athlete reveals multiple sclerosis diagnosis | Athletics News

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Lina Nielsen has revealed she suffers from multiple sclerosis

British 400-metre hurdler Lina Nielsen says that she hopes to “inspire people” after revealing she competes despite suffering with multiple sclerosis.

In an exclusive interview with the Telegraph, Nielsen explained that she first suffered symptoms from the condition when she was 13, before being diagnosed a month ahead of her 18th birthday.

Having kept her diagnosis private until now, the 26-year-old was prompted to speak out after at last month’s World Athletics Championship in Oregon. The symptoms of a ‘flare-up’ struck on the eve of her heat and left her unable to deliver anything near her best level of performance.

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“I never wanted to be known as the athlete who got MS,” said Nielsen – who also revealed that she suffered with depression following her diagnosis. “But it’s something that I hope will inspire people. Now is the right time. I want to tell my story.”

“I was in the best shape of my life. I felt 7ft tall when I ran. Hurdles felt like they were on the ground. The timing couldn’t have been any worse.

Lina Nielsen finished second in the 400m at the UK Athletics Championships in June

“The day before my race I woke up, put my shirt on and as my fingers stroked my torso I noticed the left side was numb.

“By the time of the race, the numbness had progressed to my left arm and most of my left leg, so 90 per cent of my left side was numb. I also started to feel right-sided weakness.

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“It was the most important race of my life. I couldn’t not run, so I tried to put it to the back of my mind.”

After taking a course of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, Nielsen’s symptoms have subsided and she is set to return to action on Thursday, representing England at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Laviai Nielsen: Lina is a warrior

Nielsen’s rise to international level has come alongside her identical twin sister Laviai, who won a bronze medal as part of Great Britain’s 4 x 400m relay team in Oregon, adding to the silver she won in the same competition in London in 2017.

According to Nielsen, an adverse reaction to the Covid-19 vaccine for Laviai led to an early diagnosis of MS for her twin, and that “they are 90 per cent sure” she has it, although she has not yet suffered any symptoms.

She revealed that she had initially withheld news of her diagnosis from her twin for two months over fears that she would also have it,

Laviai Nielsen won a bronze medal as part of Great Britain’s 4 x 400m relay team at the World Championships last month

“Because she was an identical twin, there was a high chance she had it as well,” Nielsen said. “I remember thinking that was my fault. I had that guilt with me.”

Following the publication of the story in the Telegraph on Wednesday morning, Nielsen received messages of support on social media from several other athletes, including her twin.

Laviai Nielsen wrote on Instagram: “Whenever my twin sister race, I cry. A lot. Because while everyone sees just another 400m hurdles, I see a different athlete altogether.

“I see a warrior. I see someone have to fight battles no 20-something year old person should have to go through. I’ve seen someone continue to stand up, despite being knocked down again and again. And I’ve seen someone who sees life as the greatest gift through it all.

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“@linaruns… my better half. You are my strength, my inspiration and my biggest source of pride. There is not one day when I don’t feel immensely proud of you.

“Sharing your MS story wasn’t easy, but you will inspire so many people with your bravery, strength and determination.”

Nielsen’s British team-mate Dina Asher-Smith also paid tribute, as did 2012 Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill.

“I have so much admiration for this incredible woman,” Ennis-Hill wrote on social media.

“You continue to amaze me with all you have achieved on and off the track and the genuinely lovely person you are! Thank you for telling your story. We’ll all be cheering you on as always.”

The most successful athletes of Russia – 2019. Forbes rating


July 25, 2019


• Business
• Editorial Forbes

  Editorial Forbes

Champions who skillfully convert sporting achievements into high incomes and demand among the audience Khabiba Nurmagomedova with Conor McGregor and discussing the prospects of leading figure skaters. The heroes and heroines of all these stories are included in the new ranking of the 40 most successful stars under 40 according to Forbes. Details are in our gallery.

40 most successful Russian stars under 40. Forbes rating

Igor Klepnev provided by the press service of Reebok

Khabib Nurmagomedov, 30 years old

Sports: mixed martial arts, UFC lightweight champion

Place in the 40 Under 40 Star Rating: 1

Revenue: $11.5 million

Instagram Followers: 15.4 million

• After 11 fights in the UFC, the main promotion in mixed martial arts, Nurmagomedov maintains zero defeats.
• The long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor in October 2018, which ended in a noisy fight (Khabib later paid a league-record fine of $750,000), made Khabib a dollar multimillionaire and doubled the number of his Instagram followers (6. 5 million in 12 hours before the fight) , 14 million – in March 2019, today – 15.4 million).
• Nurmagomedov’s sponsorship portfolio has recently been expanded by Gorilla, an energy producer, and Toyota, an automotive company.
• In June 2019, Khabib signed a new contract with the UFC and in September he will have a title fight against American Dustin Poirier.

Vladimir Vasilchikov for Forbes

Alexander Ovechkin, 33 years old

Sports: hockey, 2018 Stanley Cup winner

Place in the 40 under 40 star rating: 3

Income: $14, 5 million

Instagram followers: 1.4 million

• Father is a former football player, mother is a two-time Olympic champion as part of the USSR national basketball team.
• At the age of two, he was bought his first hockey kit (plastic helmet, stick and puck) in a children’s toy store.
• He has been playing hockey since the age of 8, at 16 he made his debut in the Russian Hockey Superleague as part of Dynamo Moscow.
• In 2004 he was selected with the first number in the NHL Entry Draft. Since the 2005/06 season, he has been playing in the NHL at the Washington Capitals club.
• In 2006, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy, the NHL’s best rookie award.
• In 2008, he signed the first contract in NHL history worth more than $100 million. Over 13 years at the Washington Capitals club, he will receive $124 million.
• The most commercially successful Russian hockey player: advertising contracts with Nike, Beats, Papa John’s, Coca-Cola, CCM and other brands bring him $4.5 million a year.
• In 2017, in honor of its 100th anniversary, the NHL released a list of the 100 greatest hockey players who played in the world’s strongest league. Ovechkin, who scored 1,000 points in 2016/17, was one of four Russians on the list (along with Sergei Fedorov, Pavel Bure and Pavel Datsyuk).
• In 2018, he won the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career: the Washington Capitals defeated league rookie Vegas Golden Knights in five games in the final series. Ovechkin was named the most valuable player in the playoffs. In addition, he received the prize for the best scorer of the regular season for the seventh time.
• In August 2016, he married the daughter of actress Vera Glagoleva Anastasia Shubskaya. In the summer of 2017, the couple celebrated their wedding magnificently, and on August 18, 2018, the couple had a son, Sergei.
• In October 2018, Ovechkin announced a partnership with video game maker Wargaming. The company used the image of an athlete for the visualization and voice acting of several characters in the game World of Warships.

REUTERS Sergey Karpukhin

Artem Dziuba, 30

Sport: football, champion of Russia 2018/2019

Place in the 40 under 40 star rating: 9

Revenue: $5. 4 million

Signature Instagram followers: 1.3M

• A student of the Spartak football school, in 2006 he made his debut in the adult team.
• In 2009, due to an unpleasant story of allegedly stealing money from teammate Vladimir Bystrov, Dziuba was first sent on loan to Tom. Then the player returned to Spartak several times, but for various reasons – he didn’t score much, didn’t get along with the coach, didn’t fit into the tactics – he went on loan again: to Tom and Rostov.
• In 2015 he signed a contract with Zenit for 5 years. However, in the 2017/18 season, he lost contact with coach Roberto Mancini, and with him his place in the squad. In order to get practice and play at the home world championship, he agreed to a loan to the Tula Arsenal with a pay cut. Since January 2018, he has made 10 appearances for the club, scoring 6 goals and providing 3 assists.
• Thanks to his successful performance for Arsenal in the second part of the 2017/18 season, he was again called up to the national team. He became one of the main characters of the 2018 World Cup: he scored three goals, gave two assists and was the emotional engine of the team.
• Champion of Russia in football 2018/2019 as part of Zenit, the best player of the season according to the Russian Football Union and according to the results of a survey of football players from Russian Premier League clubs conducted by Sport-Express.
• For 2019, he signed a contract with the company of the famous agent Jorge Mendes (among his clients is Cristiano Ronaldo) to negotiate a transfer to a foreign club. Dzyuba himself dreams of trying his hand at the English Premier League (EPL).
• Filmed in an advertisement for the bookmaker “1xBet”.

REUTERS Danny Moloshok

Maria Sharapova, 32

Sports: tennis

40 Under 40 Star Rating: 11 9000 5

Revenue: $8. 5 million

Subscribers on Instagram: 3 .6 million

• Born in Western Siberia, where her parents moved from Gomel, fearing the consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In 1994, her father moved Maria Sharapova to the USA. In 1998, she signed with marketing agency IMG (now Endeavor) and sportswear manufacturer Nike.
• Thanks to the financial support of IMG (about $100,000 per year), Sharapova was able to study at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, where Andre Agassi and Anna Kournikova studied.
• At the age of 17 she won her first Grand Slam tournament – Wimbledon. At the age of 18 she became the first racket of the world.
• The tenth female tennis player in history to collect a career Grand Slam, that is, she won victories in all four major tournaments – the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open. In 2014, Sharapova won the French Open (“Roland Garros”) for the second time – this is her fifth Grand Slam title.
• Sharapova has a business under the Sugarpova brand – the production of chewy sweets and chocolate. $500,000 in start-up capital turned into a $20 million-a-year company by 2019, Investors’ Digest wrote in July.
• On March 7, 2016, Maria Sharapova held a press conference to make a sensational confession: a doping test taken from her at the Australian Open revealed meldonium (a drug with this active ingredient common in the CIS countries is called Mildronate), which she has been taking since 2006 and, out of carelessness, continued to do so after its ban.
• Despite a 15-month doping ban, Sharapova maintained relationships with most of her sponsors. Nike continued to sell a line of tennis equipment for women Maria Sharapova, the athlete took part in the promotional events of Porsche, Evian and other partner brands.
• After returning to the court in April 2017, she won only one WTA tournament, the best result at the Grand Slam tournaments was the Roland Garros quarter-finals in 2018.
• The Maria Sharapova Foundation participates in charitable programs of the United Nations.
• In the fall of 2017, Sharapova’s autobiography, Unstoppable: My Life So Far, was released in America. By the end of the year, the book had been published in 20 languages.

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Igor Akinfeev, 33

Sports: football, the record holder for the number of shutouts among Russian goalkeepers

Place in the 40 under 40 star rating »: 15

Income: $3.5 million

• Has been playing football since the age of four.
• In 2003, at the age of 17, he made his debut in the first team of CSKA, and the following year he became the main goalkeeper of the army club. Since 2008, Igor Akinfeev has been the captain of CSKA. Six-time champion of Russia. UEFA Cup Winner. Bronze medalist at the 2008 European Championship.
• Igor Akinfeev became one of the best players of the Russian national team at the 2018 World Cup. In the penalty shoot-out in the 1/8 finals against Spain, he saved two shots and led the team to the quarterfinals – for the first time in the recent history of the country.
• In December 2016, in the Russian Championship match against Ural, Akinfeev played his 253rd clean sheet, setting a new goalkeeper record in Russian football. Before him, the Soviet goalkeeper Rinat Dasaev was considered the record holder, who, taking into account his performances for the Spanish Sevilla, had 252 matches without conceded goals.
• In December 2018, Akinfeev became the first Russian goalkeeper with 300 clean sheets. For comparison: Lev Yashin had 203 matches without conceding goals.
• A fan of the group “Hands up!”. He starred in the group’s video for the song “Open the door for me.”
• In October 2018, he was enrolled in a part-time master’s program in Management at the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (RGU). In 2009, the footballer graduated from RGUFKSiT, having defended a diploma on the topic “Tactical and technical actions of a goalkeeper during a football match.”

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Nikita Kucherov, 26 years old

Sports: hockey, the best forward of the 2019 World Championship

40 Under 40 Star Rating: 16

Revenue: $7.1 million

Instagram followers: over 201,000

• Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Kucherov in 2011 in the second round, however, before getting into the NHL, Nikita managed to play in the junior league of Quebec and the AHL.
• Kucherov has been scoring for Tampa since 2013 and has already re-signed the contract several times. New eight-year $76M deal kicks off in 2019/20.
• Having extended his contract with Tampa in the summer of 2018 for $76 million over 8 years, Kucherov had a successful season: he updated the NHL scoring record for Russian hockey players (128 points) and became the MVP of the regular season.
• Tampa were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round, but this allowed Kucherov to go with the Russian team to the World Championship and become the bronze medalist and the best forward of the tournament.
• In the spring of 2019, Kucherov signed a long-term agreement with Adidas, and in total sponsorship contracts (also HypSports, Geico, Bauer, Tokenstars) bring the hockey player about $1.5 million a year.

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Karen Khachanov, 23

Sports: tennis, the first Russian Masters winner in 13 years

Place in the 40 under 40 star rating: 900 16 20

Income: $4. 1 million 90,005 90,040 90,029 Instagram followers: 90,016 over 162,000 90,005 90,044 90,045 final, and ended the season in 11th place in the world rankings.

• Khachanov’s resume does not yet have serious feats in the Grand Slam tournaments, but his strong and at the same time smart tennis convinces that they will certainly be.
• The marketing agency StarWing also believes in the prospects of the Russian player, having provided Karen with sponsorship contracts with Nike, Rolex and Head.

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Alina Zagitova, 17

Sports: figure skating, world champion 2019

40 under 40 star rating: 33

Income: $0.8 million

Instagram followers: more than 649 000

• In 2015, Zagitova moved from Izhevsk to Moscow — in the group of coach Eteri Tutberidze.
• In 2017 she won her first adult tournament.
• In 2018, she won the Olympics in Pyeongchang, where another Russian figure skater, Evgenia Medvedeva, was considered the main favorite.
• Now Zagitova is a world star, and her popularity is perfectly converted into collaboration with big brands.
• In the summer of 2018, Alina became the ambassador of the cosmetic brand Shiseido, and in February 2019, the outfit company Puma.

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Evgenia Medvedeva, 19

Sports: figure skating, bronze medalist at the 2019 World Championships

Place in the 40 under 40 star rating: 40

Income: $0, 7 million

Instagram followers: more than 794,000

• A native of Moscow first took to the ice in three and a half years.
• Two-time silver medalist of the 2018 Olympics, two-time world champion (2016 and 2017), winner of many other titles and prizes at the most prestigious tournaments.
• In 2018, she resonantly moved from eminent Russian mentor Eteri Tutberidze to Canadian coach Brian Orser.
• Participated in commercials for Nike, Pantene Pro-V, Japanese mobile game Magia Record and other brands and products.

The Commission of the Regional Ministry of Sports summed up the results of the annual contest “The Best Athletes and Coaches of the Altai Territory”

The Commission of the Ministry of Sports of the Altai Territory summed up the results of the annual contest “The Best Athletes and Coaches of the Altai Territory”. Sergei Kamensky, Honored Master of Sports of Russia in shooting from Biysk, was named the number one athlete this year. He will be awarded the prize “Olympic Valor of the Altai Territory”.

Sergei Kamensky won two medals at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. First, Sergei took bronze in 10m mixed doubles air rifle shooting together with Yulia Karimova. And then he won a silver award in shooting from a small-caliber rifle from three positions.

In total, the athlete’s diverse collection of trophies already has three Olympic medals. In 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Sergey Kamensky also won a silver medal in shooting from a small-caliber rifle from a distance of 50 meters.

Altai Sport congratulates Sergey and his coach Igor Vladimirovich Kamensky on their victory in the regional competition “The Best Athletes and Coaches of the Altai Territory”, as well as all other winners, athletes and coaches who received special prizes.

The Commission of the Regional Ministry of Sports identified the top ten athletes in Olympic sports, named the top three Paralympic athletes, the three most distinguished athletes in sports not included in the Olympic Games program, three Olympic hopes – athletes under 18 years old, the best veteran athlete, the best team in team sports, as well as the best coaches of the Altai Territory in 2021.

Nomination “The best athletes in sports included in the program of the Olympic Games”

Sergey Kamensky – ZMS in shooting. Silver and bronze medalist of the Olympic Games. European Champion.

Andreeva Irina – MSMK in rowing and canoeing. Member of the Olympic Games. Champion of Russia, Europe and the world.

Irina Andreeva

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Yana Kirpichenko – MSMK in cross-country skiing. Silver medalist of the World Championship. Bronze medalist of the Russian championship.

Yana Kirpichenko. Photo: Vitaly Dvoryankin

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Kunz Evgeniy – MSMK in athletics. Winner of the Russian team championship. Winner of the Cup of Russia.

Winner of the Russian championship at a distance of 5000 m Vladimir Nikitin (center) and prize-winners: Anatoly Rybakov and Evgeny Kunz (right). Photo: VFLA

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Miller Polina – MSMK in athletics. Champion of Russia. Winner of the championship and Cup of Russia. Winner and prize-winner of international competitions.

Polina Miller won the Russian championship in the 400m smooth run. Photo: VFLA

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Victor Mushtakov – ZMS in speed skating. Member of the World Cup. Champion of Russia and Europe. Winner and prize-winner of the World Cup stages.

Viktor Mushtakov

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Nadyrov Ildar – MS in athletics. Silver and bronze medalist of the Russian Championship.

Ildar Nadyrov – silver medalist of the Russian Indoor Championships in track and field athletics in the mile run

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Daniil Serokhvostov – MSMK in biathlon. Member of the European Championship and the World Championship. Bronze medalist of the World Cup stages. Silver medalist of the Russian championship. Russian championship winner.

Daniil Serokhvostov. Photo: RIA Novosti / Alexey Filippov

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Shtil Sofia – MS in rowing and canoeing. Silver and bronze medalist of the European and World Championships. Russian championship winner.

Sofia Shtil

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Shubenkov Sergey – ZMS in athletics. Member of the Olympic Games. Winner of the championship and Cup of Russia. Winner of international competitions.

Sergey Shubenkov

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The special prize “For High Sports Achievements” was awarded to:

Grishina Anastasia – MS in biathlon. Member of the World Championship. Russian championship winner.

Anastasia Grishina

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Denisov Nikita – MS in cross-country skiing. Member of the World Championship. Russian championship winner.

Nikita Denisov

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Sergey Naidin – MSMK in artistic gymnastics. Member of the World Cup.

Sergei Naidin

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Khramoykina Daria – MS in judo. Silver medalist of the European Championship. Bronze medalist of the European Cup. Winner of the championship and Cup of Russia.

Daria Khramoykina

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Nomination “Best athletes in non-Olympic sports”

Andreev Artyom – MS in bodybuilding. Silver medalist of the World Championship. Winner and prize-winner of the European Championship.

Artyom Andreev

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Markelov Artyom – MS in sports aerobics. Winner and medalist of the World Championship. Winner of the European Championship and Russian Cup.

Artyom Markelov

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Stryukov Yakov – MSMK in underwater sports. World champion. Winner and prize-winner of the championship and Cup of Russia.

Yakov Stryukov

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The special prize “For high sports achievements” was awarded to:

Basov Ivan – MS in sports aerobics. Winner and medalist of the World Championship. Winner of the European Championship.

Ivan Basov

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Alexander Gelvikh – MS in kickboxing. Champion of Russia. Member of the World Cup.

Alexander Gelvikh – two-time champion of Russia!

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Demin Nikita – ITF Taekwondo CCM. Winner of the championships of Russia, Europe and the world.

Nikita Demin

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Dmitry Kudryavtsev – MS in sports aerobics. Winner and medalist of the World Championship. Winner of the European Championship and Russian Cup.

Dmitry Kudryavtsev

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Leer Tatyana – bodybuilding athlete. World champion in the fitness bikini category. Russian Cup Winner.

Tatiana Leer

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Nomination “Olympic hopes”

Kulguskin Leonid – CCM in biathlon. Winner and prize-winner of the Russian championship.

Leonid Kulguskin

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Roslov Artyom – 1st category in boxing. Winner of the championships of Russia and Europe.

Artyom Roslov

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Chernousov Nikita – MS in swimming. Silver medalist of the championships of Russia and Europe.

Nikita Chernousov

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The special prize “For high sporting achievements” was awarded to:

Field farmer Yana – CCM in judo. Member of the European Championship. Bronze medalist of the European Cup.

Yana Polevod (right)

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Nomination “Best Coach”

Volkov Mikhail Valerievich – coach of the first qualification category in kayaking and canoeing. Coach of Nikita Abrosimov, Alexandra Vlasova, Nikita Sour-eyed, Sergey Kudyshev, Sofia Shtil.

Sofia Shtil returned from the European Championship with a silver medal. In the photo, an athlete with a coach of the SShOR named after Kostenko Mikhail Volkov

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Gorev Evgeny Vasilyevich – head coach of the team Basketball club “Barnaul”.

Evgeny Gorev

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Klevtsov Sergey Alexandrovich – ZTR in athletics. Coach Shubenkov Sergei.

Sergey Klevtsov

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Konyukhov Arkady Alexandrovich – ZTR in speed skating. Coach Viktor Mushtakov.

Arkady Konyukhov

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Sokolova Elena Alexandrovna – ZTR in swimming with POD. Trainer of Roman Zhdanov, Yegor Efrosinin, Yury Luchkin.

Photo: Anton Fedotov / Official website of the Altai Territory

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Special prize “For the training of high-class athletes” was awarded to:

Grinina Natalya Konstantinovna – coach of the highest qualification category in sports aerobics. Coach Artyom Markelov, Ivan Basov.

Natalya Grinina

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Kapustin Denis Vasilyevich – coach of the highest qualification category in bodybuilding. Coach of Artyom Andreev, Natalia Bystrova, Usein Salimov, Evgeny Shobik.

President of the Regional Bodybuilding Federation Denis Kapustin Photo: Alexander Cherny / Altai Sport

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Klevtsova Nadezhda Vladimirovna – ZTR in athletics. Coach Polina Miller, Nadyrova Ildar.

Nadezhda Klevtsova with her most titled pupil Polina Miller

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Kuzmenko Alexander Valerievich – coach of the highest qualification category. Coach Alexander Gelvih, Alexey Aladinsky, Stepan Gabov, Yegor Lizinskis, Vadim Pyankov.

Alexander Kuzmenko

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Manuilov Sergey Ivanovich – ZTR in athletics (sport of the blind). Coach Alexander Kostin, Evgeny Kunz, Egor Sharov.

Governor of the Altai Territory Viktor Tomenko awards Sergey Manuilov with the regional award – “Medal for services to society”

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Nomination “The best children’s coach”

Shagov Igor Viktorovich – coach of the highest qualification category in boxing. Coach Albina Kudinova, Artyom Roslov, Ivan Fidishchenko.

Igor Shagov. Photo: Kamenskiye Izvestiya

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Nomination “Best team in team sports”

Basketball club “Barnaul” is the winner of the championship of Russia among men’s Superleague-2 teams. The team led by Evgeny Gorev made the transition to Superleague-1.

BC Barnaul is the winner of Superleague-2

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Nomination “The best athletes in the sports included in the program of the Paralympic Games”

Efrosinin Egor – ZMS in swimming with POD. Silver medalist at the Paralympic Games. Winner of the championship of Russia and Europe.

Egor Efrosinin. Photo: Dmitry Lyamzin

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Zhdanov Roman – ZMS in swimming from POD. Winner and medalist of the Paralympic Games. Winner of the championship of Russia and Europe.

Roman Zhdanov. Photo: Dmitry Lyamzin

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Alexander Kostin – ZMS in athletics (sport of the blind). Bronze medalist at the Paralympic Games. Winner of the championship of Russia and Europe.

Alexander Kostin

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Special prize for high sports achievements to award:

Podpalnaya Tamara – ZMS in powerlifting with POD.