A 30-year-old Russian swimmer, Nikolai Svechnikov, has gone missing during Istanbul’s annual Bosphorus cross-continental swimming race, Turkish authorities confirmed on Monday.
According to data from his tracking chip, Svechnikov — a professional swimming coach — entered the water at the start of the 6.5-kilometre (4-mile) race but never emerged at the finish line.
The high-profile event, held on Sunday morning, drew more than 2,800 swimmers from 81 countries. Participants swam across the Bosphorus Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime passages — from Kanlica on the Asian side to Kurucesme on the European side, during a temporary suspension of ship traffic.
“Russian athlete Nikolai Svechnikov … went missing during the race,” said the Turkish Olympic Committee, which organized the event.
In a statement, the Istanbul governor’s office confirmed the swimmer did not complete the course. “Security camera footage and data from the chip attached to the swimmer’s foot showed he began the race but did not exit at the finish line,” the statement said.
By late Monday, there was still no trace of Svechnikov. Istanbul prosecutors have launched an investigation into his disappearance, according to the private DHA news agency.
Russia’s consulate general in Istanbul said it was in close contact with Turkish authorities and confirmed that Svechnikov’s family had been informed of the situation.
According to the official race guidelines, swimmers are required to finish the course within a two-hour time limit, after which the coast guard retrieves anyone still in the water.
The Olympic Committee stated that the race began at 10:04 a.m. (0704 GMT), with the last swimmer entering the water by 10:54 a.m. An initial post-race check indicated three swimmers were unaccounted for, but this was later narrowed down to one — Svechnikov.
“All relevant authorities, including the coast guard, maritime police, and the governor’s office, were immediately notified, and search and rescue operations began without delay,” the Committee said. “We are working in full cooperation with all units to clarify the incident.”
AFP
