Russian swimmer Andrey Grechin, a bronze medalist at the 2012 Olympic Games, has decided to give his swimming career another go at 32-years old.
In interviews done with several Russian state-run media outlets, Grechin says that he’s returning to enjoy swimming. “It would be possible to just swim Masters meets, but this is not what I want. I don’t care, I like to compete with strong opponents. Swimming disciplines me; my return is more a challenge for myself.”
Grechin’s last official meet was the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio. There he swam individually on Russia’s 400 free relay in both prelims and finals. That relay finished 4th with Grechin swimming a 48.68 on the leadoff leg in finals.
Grechin also swam the 100 free individually, but he didn’t advance out of prelims, finishing 21st in 48.75.
Four years earlier, Grechin was part of the Russian men’s 400 free relay that won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. He was the leadoff leg there as well, splitting a very similar 48.57, but that year it was good enough for a medal.
At those 2012 Games, he also anchored Russia’s 400 medley relay that finished 12th in prelims and raced the 50 free individually, where he finished 10th in the semi-finals.
Grechin has best times of 21.82 in the 50 free in long course, and 47.59 in the 100 free in long course, though those swims were both done at least 8 years ago.
Russian Rankings in Men’s 100 LCM Free, 2019
- Vladislav Grinev, 47.43 (Russian Record)
- Vlad Morozov, 47.88
- Evgeny Rylov, 48.31
- Mikhail Vekovishchev, 48.41
- Andrei Minakov, 48.50
- Kliment Kolesnikov, 48.52
- Ivan Girev, 48.80
- Sergey Fesikov, 48.97
- Andrey Zhilkin, 49.15
- Ivan Kuzmenko, 49.30
Russian Rankings in Men’s 100 LCM Free, Since 2016 Olympics
- Vladislav Grinev, 47.43 (Russian Record)
- Vlad Morozov, 47.75
- Kliment Kolsenikov, 48.04
- Daniil Izotov, 48.31 (retired)
- Evgeny Rylov, 48.31
- Ivan Girev, 48.33
- Mikhail Vekovishchev, 48.41
- Andrei Minakov, 48.50
- Ivan Kuzmenko, 48.71
- Sergey Fesikov, 48.73
While the USA seems to have figured out this 400 free relay and have won it the last 3 major world events, I really feel if either Brasil or Russia (and even AUS) can put together a relay where all 4 legs perform up to par in the same race, they could sneak ahead of the US.
In 2017, Brazil had 2 phenomenal legs, Santos slightly underperformed, and Cielo swam meh. They’ll retain Chierghini (PB’d in 2019), Fratus (will be a full two seasons removed from shoulder surgery in 2021), Santos (returning from suspension), and likely have one of their youngsters who could catch lightning in a bottle and go well below their 47.9-48.0 range.
In 2019, Morozov was… Read more »
I’d throw in Great Britain and France as well.
Great Britain have Duncan Scott, James Guy, Ben Proud and Scott McLay from their 2019 worlds team. Then they have juniors Matt Richards and Jacob Whittle who have an extra year to move up to senior ranks and Lewis Burras who had a good SCY season over in the states.
France have a shot if they can get a couple of prelims swimmers. A team of Grousset, Mignon, Metella and Manaudou would have a fighting chance at a medal.
I think the relay is far from a given for the US but the clearly have a much larger pool of swimmers that can go 47.5 and below. But as you said, that doesn’t matter if one swimmer has an off night or if another team has a guy go a Lezak/Scott like time.
Adrian still went 47.0 at worlds last summer. I think not racing at all for a week (other than a mixed relay prelim) May have hurt him, or maybe he just couldn’t hold taper? I would I write him off yet, but the best men’s race in the world will probably be the 100 free at US trials, followed closely by the mens 200 free
Will he wear a cap this go around?
Russian men don’t wear caps, those are for women 🙂
Let me tell you something Russian athletes are also known for
Being fine upstanding citizens?
Going to the Monastory outside Moscow to be blessed before a Worlds or Olympics. Works for the gymnast & iice skaters .. Gets their balls & ropes & jumps higher to heaven .