Along with hosting the year’s biggest elite global swimming competition, the 2015 FINA World Swimming Championships, the city of Kazan, Russia is also gearing up to present the Masters edition of the event. The Masters World Championships will be held in Kazan from August 5th – August 16th, with over 5,000 athletes expected to participate in the various aquatic contests.
One athlete in particular lit up the Masters swimming event entry lists already – that of the legendary Russian sprinter, Alexander Popov. Former world record holder in the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle events, Popov is listed as vying for Masters Worlds gold in both events within the men’s 40-44 age group.
Popov is seeded 5th in the 100m freestyle event, with an entry time of 55.00. Brazilian Mauri Rosolen is positioned with the highest seed coming into the meet with his time of 53.65. The 100m freestyle is slated for August 11th, while the 50m freestyle race will occur two days later on the 13th.
In the height of his career, Popov was the only man to have won Olympic gold in both the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle events in consecutive Games, having accomplished the feat in 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta. Popov earned his last international titles at the 2003 FINA World Championships in Barcelona, where he earned gold in both of his signature events.
Well, in any case, if this is the real alexander TSAR popov swimming tomorrow, and if a video is available it would be great to share it !
Guys! Don’t wanna dissapoint you, but it’s not Alexander Popov you are talking about. It’s a full namesake )) His date of birth is 17/09/1971, not Nov 16th ))
It is true, I am an Executive Assistant of Masters Swimming Federation of Russia and I have all the passports of our registered swimmers.
Sorry! 🙂
Julia,
Can you please tell me if Vlad Pyshnenko registered for this meet?
Why is that guy always in my age group?!!
Alex not planning to swim at Masters World.
Popov won golds in the 2003 Barcelona WC not 2013. Would’ve been some Dara Torres level stuff to win in ’13
Stoyle – Ha! Yes, a little giddy on the post; now reads 2003 correctly.
Loretta, its just a guy with same first and last name…
Really?! Wow.
Man, it’s got to be tough to be a masters swimmer named Alex Popov. You’re just never going to live up to expectations, no matter how fast you are.
… and born the same year (1971) and doing 50 and 100 free. There’s another one there born in 1985, though
Please, Biondi and Jager show up and race him. Pretty please!!
Would love to see it. 52,75
Swimmer in early 40s of his caliber? …eh, I would go as far as to say he can hit 51