Russian media report that the 26-year-old's family home in Podyvochen, Bryansk region, has been bombed. The village of about 500 inhabitants where Bolshunov grew up is three kilometers from the Ukrainian border – effectively on the front line.
"Aleksander experiences constant anxiety, of course. He's on the phone all the time. We all feel compassion for him and are worried. We want his parents to be able to come to a safer place. But his father doesn't want to give up the big farm and their big house," coach Yuri Borodavko said, according to the R-Sport news agency.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Aleksander Bolshunov and other Russian skaters have been barred from competing internationally since the country invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Shortly thereafter, he published pro-Russian posts on social media – and has been praised several times by Vladimir Putin after his efforts in the track.
This past season, he continued to train and compete at home.
The IOC has recommended to international confederations that Russian athletes should be allowed to compete under a neutral flag, wearing neutral uniforms.
"I'm not sure 'Sasha' will say he's ready to compete neutrally, just to make some money and win some medals," Russian ski president Yelena Välbe told R-Sport.