Andrii Govorov is a Ukrainian sprint specialist and 2016 Olympic finalist. He is sponsored by Head.
Govorov decided to keep his Ukrainian nationality after Russia took over Crimea in 2014, despite the countries financial crisis. As one of Ukraine’s top athletes, the country allocated much of its meagre funds on him, allowing him to train abroad under Arilson Silva.
International Career
Govorov has been a staple on the Ukrainian National Team since 2010 when he broke the 50 meter butterfly European Junior record en route to winning the event at the European Junior championships. A year later he swam at his first World Championships were he finished eighth in the 50 meter butterfly final. He also placed 22nd in the 50 meter freestyle.
2012 London Olympic Games
In London, Govorov finished tied 15th in the semi-final of the 50 meter freestyle.
2013 FINA World Championships
In Barcelona, Govorov made it to the World Championship final again in the 50 meter butterfly. With two years more experience, he moved up three places to finish fifth. He also swam the 50 meter freestyle. After going through to the semi finals in third position, Govorov missed out on a place in the final after finishing 12th.
2015 FINA World Championships
A year out from the Olympic Games, Govorov was proving he was a sprinting contender on the world stage. He finished 5th in the final in both the 50 freestyle and butterfly. He also swam the 100 meter freestyle, finishing 36th.
2016 European Championships
In the run up to Rio, Govorov as in fine form in London where he posted the fastest time ever in a textile suit in the 50 meter butterfly at 22.73.
He went on to win the event and also pick up a silver medal in the 50 meter freestyle.
2016 Rio Olympic Games
As one of only five Ukrainian athletes in Rio, Govorov had a nations medal hopes pinned on him. His chances were looking good after posting the fastest time in the 50 meter freestyle heats then the second fastest after the semi-final. In the final however, he finished fifth in 21.74.
2017 FINA World Championships
Govorov won his first World Championship medal in Budapest in the 50 meter butterfly. He swam a 22.84 to take the bronze medal.
World Record
On July 1, 2018, at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome, after coming within tenths of the world record multiple times, Govorov broke the nearly 10-year-old super suit mark by touching the wall in 22.27.
2018 European Championships
Govorov backed up his WR with a championship title to join it, winning the 50 fly at Euro’s in a time of 22.48, .3 ahead of silver, which also broke the championship record. Govorov also swam the 50 free, in which he tied for 8th in semis and had to do a swim-off for the last spot in the final heat. Govorov was beaten in said swim-off by Lithuanian Simonas Bilis, 21.70 to 21.74, and therefore did not advance to the final heat.
2021 European Championships (Budapest, Hungary)
Govorov earned a silver in the 50 fly in Budapest, registering a 23.01 in the event for 2nd place.
