Famous Russian ballerina bitten by ‘sea creature’ in Turkey

ANTALYA

Anastasia Volochkova, the former prima ballerina of Russia’s renowned Bolshoi Ballet, has said she was bitten by “something” while swimming in the sea in southern Turkey.

“My leg is recovering, thanks a lot to people and doctors,” the 39-year-old ballerina, who is staying at a hotel in the southern Turkish city of Antalya, said in an Instagram message on July 30.

It is thought a sea turtle or a large fish could have bitten Volochkova, Turkish media reported on July 31.

Admittedly afraid of going into even a swimming pool now, the Russian ballerina is currently on medication to prevent an infection, just a week before an upcoming show she was scheduled to star in.

After dancing as prima ballerina for the Bolshoi Ballet from 1998 to 2000, Volochkova was fired by the renowned Russian institution due to various disagreements amid a row over claims she was too heavy and tall for the job.

Since then, Volochkova’s name has appeared in tabloid headlines around the world on issues related both to her private life and political activity. She has become known as a fiercely pro-Kremlin figure, since she slammed the female punk band Pussy Riot over their anti-establishment activism.