Russian swimmer Kliment Kolesnikov, a World File holder and double Olympic medalist in Tokyo, has dedicated to swim at each the 2025 World Aquatics Championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Video games.
After solely 15 Russians competed as neutrals throughout all sports activities on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games, the nation’s stance on the standing has shifted, with a current presidential press launch encouraging athletes to compete as neutrals the place allowed.
Most federations, together with World Aquatics, have additionally softened there stance because the Russian struggle in Ukraine approaches its 3 years anniversary. For instance, Russian athletes are nonetheless banned from World Athletics and the soccer governing physique FIFA, although the previous started effectively earlier than the struggle in Ukraine due to doping and Russia has begun publicly politicking for readmission as neutrals to the latter. Soccer, the world’s hottest sport, appears to be the largest ache level for the Russian public among the many bans.
Russia despatched 28 swimmers to compete on the 2024 World Quick Course Swimming Championships in Budapest beneath a impartial flag, however Kolesnikov was not amongst them – saying he felt uncomfortable competing as a impartial athlete (although it’s anticipated he could be eligible for impartial standing beneath AQUA’s phrases).
In a current interview with Metaratings.ru, a Russian publication centered on sports activities betting, Kolesnikov says that his views have advanced primarily based on suggestions from his teammates.
“Earlier than our swimmers competed on the World Championships in Budapest, my place on the impartial standing was impartial,” Kolesnikov mentioned. “I expressed dissatisfaction with the prevailing algorithm for participation in competitions. However when the fellows returned from the World Championships, I heard from them greater than as soon as that it could be superb if the entire crew, together with me, participated within the competitions.
“After that, I began considering that it wouldn’t be superb for me to take a seat right here whereas the complete crew competes in Singapore and wins medals. I may additionally contribute to this: each within the relay and in particular person occasions. I repeat: my plans now embody getting ready for Singapore. We’ll see how issues go from right here.”
Kolesnikov, who has been coping with a minor damage that he downplayed within the interview, will miss the primary stage of the Russian Cup in Kaliningrad subsequent month to give attention to coaching, as will lots of his Russian fellow elites. He says he’ll now goal the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore from July 27-August 3.
He additionally mentioned that he plans to race by to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Video games, the place he might be 28-years outdated.
Kolesnikov, like should Russian swimmers, skipped the Paris 2024 Olympics, however says that he doesn’t remorse the choice.
“In the course of the Olympic Video games, there have been totally different circumstances, the state of affairs and the thrill round all of this. I’m not offended. I made a balanced resolution and don’t remorse something.”
Kolesnikov received silver within the 100 backstroke and bronze within the 100 freestyle on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics; he additionally has three medals (just one particular person bronze) from the lengthy course World Championships.
The Russian is the present World File holder within the 50 meter backstroke in each lengthy course (23.55 – July 2023) and quick course (22.11 – November 2022), each set throughout Russia’s worldwide exile. Whereas a few of his countrymates have mentioned that the shortage of worldwide competitors has eaten away at their motivation, Kolesnikov says he hasn’t confronted those self same points, which is supported by his record-setting swims.
