Russian freediver Andrey Matveenko has died, Cetma Composites, for whom Matveenko served as a brand ambassador, announced today.<\/p>\n
The company said on Instagram<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cAndrey was not only a valuable member of our team, but also someone who inspired others with his passion, expertise, and humanity. His enthusiasm, dedication and positive energy left a lasting mark on all of us.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this moment of sorrow, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends, and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him and working alongside him.<\/p>\n \u201cHis presence will always remain part of our story.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Andrey, for everything you shared with us.\u201d<\/p>\n The 45-year-old had suffered a serious medical emergency<\/a> at the CMAS World Championships last September in Lefkada, Greece.<\/p>\n During official training on September 6th, Matveenko attempted a dive to approximately 126.5m (415ft). He reached the surface but suffered a blackout just meters from completing the dive. Safety divers intervened, and after a rescue breath, he briefly regained responsiveness. Moments later, however, his condition deteriorated, and he presented with neurological symptoms, including paralysis on the right side of his body. He spent the next months recovering from those symptoms.<\/p>\n The incident led to visible protests. Talya Davidoff, captain of Team USA, formally withdrew from the competition, citing concerns about how the medical emergency was handled.<\/p>\n In an Instagram post<\/a> at the time, Davidoff wrote:<\/p>\n \u201cIt is with great sadness that I announce my withdrawal from the CMAS World Championships as well as my retirement from CMAS in general.<\/p>\n \u201cI will at a later stage go public with how I have been treated by them with regard to my personal health.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the mishandling of the top athlete Andrey Matveenko is not something I can standby and do nothing about.<\/p>\n \u201cThe safety protocols at the world championships are simply inadequate and CMAS has not correctly addressed this or taken responsibility for it. I know other athletes feel the same and those who have the ability are backing out.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has been the athletes who have ensured his ongoing safety and treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n Five other athletes also withdrew from the competition<\/a>.<\/p>\n