Russian swimmer Evgenii Somov has been granted neutral status to swim at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, making him likely to be the only Russian swimmer to compete at the quadrennial event.
Somov is one of only two Russian swimmers to have been given the special status by World Aquatics allowing him to compete amid a broader Olympic ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes. The other, Yulia Efimova, came up short of Olympic qualifying times last week at the Bahamas National Championships.
Somov’s status became relevant in May when he blasted a new Russian Record of 58.72 at the Atlanta Classic to hit the Olympic Qualification Time (OQT, aka “A cut”). Prior to that swim, he had never broken one minute in the event.
Somov swam in college at Louisville from 2017 through 2022 and has remained in the US after graduation and has spent time as a coach with Albany Armada Aquatics in Albany, California.
He has made occasional trips to Berkeley for some training battles with swimmers like Liam Bell and Luke Rodarte, but his primary coach if former Auburn sprinter Piankhi Gibson at Oaklantis in Oakland, California.
Besides being an All-American in college and 5-time ACC Champion at Louisville, he was a 2017 World Junior Champion in the men’s 400 medley relay for Russia and 2017 European Junior Champion in the men’s 200 breaststroke.
The ban of Russia and Belarus as countries from the Olympics has been upheld by the CAS on the basis of Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian sporting organizations amid its invasion of the country which began more than two years ago. They have, however, created a pathway for ‘neutral’ athletes to compete at the Games, with Russian officials saying repeatedly that athletes are allowed to do so if they wish.
Only a “very limited” number are eligible, with many potential Olympians from Russia being disqualified because they train with military-affiliated sports clubs.
To be eligible for neutral status, athletes do not have to sign a neutral declaration. Instead, like all other athletes, they must reaffirm their commitment to respect the Olympic charter, including “the peace mission of the Olympic Movement.”
Athletes are also only eligible if they avoid making any public statements of support and are not affiliated with the Russian or Belarusian militaries.
Across all sports, approximately 61 neutral athletes (34 from Russia, 27 from Belarus) are currently scheduled to compete. That list includes Belarusian swimmers Ilya Shymanovich, Anastasiya Shkurdai, and Alina Zmushka.
Yev is my swimking coach he is really inspiring and he helped me get to 3 B times.
Is there a way make a donation to help cover his expenses?
There is a GoFundMe account that has been set up in his name here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/j94v9t-support-our-coachs-olympic-journey
Evgenii Somov is a great representation of American dreams and a subtle reminder to Russians that they are not “neutral”. He has family in Russia so of course he must be neutral. He has been a brilliant coach and advocate for swimming so I wish him the very best!
This guy shows up at sectionals and makes the entire final heat wait for him to get ready. It was ridiculous
Did this guy at least say something like “Putin must be stopped” or “Russia commits genocide in Ukraine” on social media or so? Oh, sorry, I forgot he’s NEUTRAL. Nevermind.
It’s not his fault his country is committing war crimes.. he’s a swimmer not a politician.. why would he say anything
Country = people (including swimmers), not just politicians. Moreover, who do you think is responsible for letting folks like Pootin usurp all the power?
Putin essentially put himself in charge. Russia isn’t a democracy. It’s not the people’s fault he’s in charge.
It is, mate. Literally millions of russians genuinely admire him, most others just do not care (= do not mind the government doing this shit as long as they are safe).
Out of curiosity, how is this viewed from the Russian government perspective?
Hopefully they don’t care but I’m not certain that may be the case.
They have, however, created a pathway for ‘neutral’ athletes to compete at the Games, with Russian officials saying repeatedly that athletes are allowed to do so if they wish.
He’s seriously a medal threat in the 100 br. One of the best back halfs ive seen. What is it with russian breaststrokers and their back halfs lol. chupkov, effimova, chikunova, this guy, ect.
With how cold it is in Russian, they need a bit to be fully warmed up