Kliment Kolesnikov Hit the Flags in 100 Back Final at Youth Olympics

2018 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

When Russian swimmer Kliment Kolesnikov won the 100 backstroke gold medal on Monday evening in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, he became his country’s first champion of this year’s swimming events, and contributed to an 11-gold-medal haul already that has Russia sitting atop the overall Games medals table through 3 days of competition.

Still, the World Record holder and opening ceremonies flag bearer was disappointed with his time in spite of taking the win.

In an interview with the Russian Olympic Committee, Kolesnikov said he had hoped to be under 53 seconds (his final time was 53.26). In part, he blamed the fact that his hand hit the backstroke flags, which he said were hanging very low, and that caused him to lose tempo and almost miss a turn.

In spite of the time being slower than his 52.53 from the European Championships earlier this summer, Kolesnikov still kept things in perspective. “The main thing now is the gold medal,” he said. “That is more important – the fact that I brought gold to the team outweighs the time.”

Besides his individual swim, he also split a lifetime best of 48.17 to lead off Russia’s mixed 400 free relay – believed to be the 2nd-best time ever by a junior (behind Kyle Chalmers of Australia). He still has the 50 back and 200 back to swim individually.

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Raleigh Swim
5 years ago

It’s not like he Zuberoed it

Jimbo
Reply to  Raleigh Swim
5 years ago

That man actually used to be my coach

Bob
5 years ago

Does his 100 free time actually count as it was done in a mixed relay?

Bob
Reply to  Braden Keith
5 years ago

I mean count as in is it an official time? Like can he use that time in the future? I know it doesn’t really matter just curious because I’m not sure about the rules.

JimSwim22
Reply to  Braden Keith
5 years ago

Which is the best get out challenge ever!

Hannah
Reply to  JimSwim22
5 years ago

Sometimes for fun after practice the boys on my team try to jump from the blocks to touch the flags. No ones ever done it but they land in the water in some pretty crazy positions

Pmpolo
Reply to  Braden Keith
5 years ago

You don’t need to lay out to touch the flags, or jump off the blocks. It’s actually easier to jump from the deck. I used to do 360 and then touch the flags. But my favorite was gently placing my teammates googles on the flags, and watch them try to get them off.

Jimbo
5 years ago

I mean a swimmer can’t help it if his arms are long

eagleswim
5 years ago

could it be possible he slipped up and was trying to say lane line?

Jimbo
Reply to  Braden Keith
5 years ago

There was a pool I had to train in for about 6 months I was 5”8 at the time probably and could tap the flags on back if I wasn’t careful. That and the chlorine would burn your skin so all in all a bad pool

John
Reply to  Jimbo
5 years ago

I used to race in a pool where you could touch the floor on the shallow end while simply stroking freestyle.

NONA
5 years ago

He hit the flags? How long are his arms??

Linny
Reply to  NONA
5 years ago

Can we see a video or photograph please? I am far too lazy to look. It sounds seriously unlikely.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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