Update: on Wednesday, Minakov deleted the post and issued an apology.
Russian teenager and 2019 Worlds silver medalist Andrei Minakov took to Instagram Tuesday to voice his displeasure at the International Olympic Committee’s decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics.
Minakov, who committed to come to the United States and swim for Stanford next year, wrote that “if the country denies taking a part in the Olympics, it’s their problem.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-IFax3gct4/
“As you all can know, the Olympic Games 2020 has been postponed. I can’t agree that it was the correct decision. Yes, athletes wouldn’t show their best results, but it’s a sport, an athlete can’t always stay at the highest level. If the country denies taking a part in the Olympics, it’s their problem. As for now, the Olympics will intersect with World Championships next year 🤷♂️Incredible disappointment. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the situation will be gone by next year. Thanks for taking the dream away for one year. However, I highly respect any decision made by IOC. Just one more year to get better. Olympics is more than just a competition. It’s a fairy tale, dream, fiesta.”
Last summer, Minakov took on a big schedule, racing at the World Championships, European Junior Championships, and World Junior Championships; he is believed to be the only swimmer that medalled at all 3 of those meets.
Minakov won six medals at the European Junior Championships (including four golds), seven medals at the World Junior Championships (including three gold), and two relay medals in addition to the silver medal in the 100 fly at the World Championships.
The 18-year-old primarily trains in Russia but has also spent time with the Terrapin Swim Team in Concord, CA. Minakov was initially was slated to take part in the ISL’s inaugural season, but announced in September that he was forgoing that in order to preserve his NCAA eligibility. He’s the Russian national record holder in the 100 fly, with his time of 50.83 from Worlds.
The most poorly played take on the Olympics I have read. Sounds like a 10 year old who had JO’s canceled. Good luck with him Stanford.
Russia now is like US weeks ago. There hasn’t been too many cases and people are not taking it so seriously. You could understand his attitude after considering how many American athletes would like the Games to be postponed one month ago.
I don’t wish it on him, but I’m getting this weird, Rudy Gobert-esque feeling we’ll be seeing a “Minakov Test Positive For Corona Virus” headline in the near future.
I thought Russia was not allowed to compete in the Olympics.
That doesn’t prohibit individual Russian athletes from competing.
Since Russia doesn’t seem to be facing the challenges with COVID-19 like the rest of the world and with all the Russian athletes training together it might be a great time to send in WADA for testing? Great opportunity for them to show everyone how their systemic doping program has subsided in the last few weeks.
Sounds like Stanford got a great team chemistry guy for next year.
Give the kid a break. Which is worse: 1) two DUIs; 2) causing an international incident at a gas station in Rio; or, 3) unwisely airing your legitimate disappointment without waiting a day or two to think about how it sounds to others. He’ll be fine. I wonder how many stupid things I would have aired on social media had it been available when I was a teenager.
People love to call others selfish when they themselves are selfish too. Do you know how many small business in Japan live on the Olympics, and won’t survive one more year? Do you know how many people will lose jobs and have difficulty in making a living due to the postponement? You are just like ‘there’s no way the virus can be controlled by late July’ while several East Asian countries already had it under control, including China, the origin country where things are really severe two months ago. Japan did so much in controlling the pandemic but ended up paying for those who didn’t. And those who didn’t take it seriously and caused outbreak are now calling others selfish.… Read more »
He looks on track to be Dan’s favorite on the Farm. I know he said he’s wanted to go to Stanford since he was young, but who wants to take odds on the likelihood of him ever darkening the doors of the Cardinal?
I dunno about any wonderful culture in the Stanford Swim team . Seems like a bunch of drunks . If the school cared they may have intervened before Brock , Antony ..
When I posted in Jan an ‘If the Olympics happen then xxxxx ‘ I was told not to bring that virus stuff here . Then I got censored.
Fair enough but I persisted & snuck in facts about Milan etc .
Stanford only got the Covid19 message during Des Moines GP when they cancelled classes & closed their swim school .I posted that too on the Sunday.
Ok I have been following it closely . You guys are projecting your guilt onto Andrei . Nothing means… Read more »