Kliment Kolesnikov Hits 24.08 To Tie Fourth-Fastest 50 Back In History

2021 RUSSIAN NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• April 3-9, 2021
• Palace of Water Sports, Kazan, Russia
• Prelims: 9:00 am local/2:00 am Eastern, Finals: 6:00 pm local/11:00 am Eastern
• LCM (50m)
• Russian Olympic Qualification Procedures
• Meet Central
• Start Lists/Results
• Live Stream (YouTube channel)

It was a monster start to a big week of racing for Kliment Kolesnikov at the Russian Olympic Trials in Kazan, as he threw down one of the fastest swims of all-time in the men’s 50 backstroke.

The 20-year-old won the event on the opening day of the meet in a time of 24.08, tying for the fourth-fastest performance in history. It is also the third-fastest textile swim ever.

Liam Tancock set the world record twice at the 2009 World Championships during the super-suit era, getting the mark down to 24.04 in the final, and then nine years later it was Kolesnikov taking that record down in 24.00 at the European Championships in Glasgow.

The only other swimmer to go under 24.1 is Frenchman Camille Lacourt, who did so in 2010.

All-Time Performances, Men’s 50 Backstroke

1. Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 24.00 – 2018
2. Liam Tancock (GBR), 24.04 – 2009
3. Camille Lacourt (FRA), 24.07 – 2010
4. Liam Tancock (GBR) / Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 24.08 – 2009/2021
5. –
6. Robert Glinta (ROU), 24.12 – 2018
7. Camille Lacourt (FRA), 24.23 – 2015
8. Junya Koga (JPN) / Ryan Murphy (USA), 24.24 – 2009/2018
9. –
10. Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) / Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 24.25 – 2018/2021

In the semi-finals of the event here in Kazan, which took place earlier in the same session, Kolesnikov registered a time of 24.25, tying one of his 2018 swims for 10th-fastest all-time.

If this showing is any indication, Kolesnikov is poised for a big week of racing as he aims to qualify for his first Olympic team. First up for him will be his best Olympic event, the 100 backstroke, which will have prelims and semis on Day 2 and the final on Day 3.