Andrey Grechin
Andrey Vladimirovich Grechin is a two-time Russian Olympian. Grechin is a sprint freestyle specialist, and is 6’6″ fitting that typical sprinter stereotype – tall and powerful. Born Oct. 21, 1987 in Barnaul, Russia Grechin studied at the Saint Petersburg State University of Education and Finance
Beijing Olympics
Grechin qualified for his first Olympic Games in Beijing 2008 – he swam four events including the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle relay, and the 400m medley relay. He didn’t bring home a medal from Beijing, but he came close finishing fourth in the 400m medley relay.
London Olympics
Four years later at the 2012 London Olympics, Grechin closed in on his first Olympic medal at 24 years old. He finished third place in the 400m freestyle relay, bringing Russia a bronze medal.
World University Games Record Holder
Grechin did some damage at the 2013 World University Games while representing Russia. He won a gold medal as the first leg of the 400m freestyle relay, which had belonged to the Americans. Grechin then set a new WUG meet record in the 100m freestyle when he led off the relay.
World Record
In the same year, he won the 100m freestyle at the Russian Nationals held in Moscow, and broke a world record as the second leg of the mixed 200m medley relay at the World Cup.
2014 Championships
In July 2014 once again won the 100m freestyle at the Russian Cup – his victory was aided by Vlad Morozov being sidelined due to illness. At the 2014 European Championships Grechin finished in the top eight of his signature event, the 100m freestyle. He came in second in the 100m freestyle at the huge-cash prize 2014 Mare Nostrum series at the Meeting International de Monaco.
Recent performances
Most recently Grechin competed at the Russian Nationals in April 2015, where he finished second in the 50m freestyle putting him in the top 10 of the 2015 world rankings.
