World Championship silver-medalist Andrei Minakov has deleted, and apologized for, an Instagram post that he made on Tuesday after the announcement that the 2020 Olympic Games were being postponed until 2021.
The reaction to his post was largely critical, with people referring to it as “selfish” and “immature.” Minakov, a Russian who was raised partially in the United States, has been able to continue training with the Russian National Team. Minakov, who is 18, is committed to swim for Stanford in the U.S. in the fall.
Russia has reported only 658 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 1 death. With a population of over 144 million, that infection and death rate is the lowest in the world among large nations with resources to test.
In his new post, Minakov says that “it was posted as an emotional first reaction to the news, without putting much thought.”
“I hereby humbly apologize for the post, which indeed doesn’t characterize me as a person and as a swimmer. I absolutely agree that each and every life matters and health and security should be upheld at any cost.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-JwUepAz34/
With due respect to all who might have been offended by my previous post, I have deleted it. It was posted as an emotional first reaction to the news, without putting much thought. I hereby humbly apologize for the post, which indeed doesn’t characterize me as a person and as a swimmer. I absolutely agree that each and every life matters and health and security should be upheld at any cost. I am sure that we all will win over the virus, as we have done in the past, together and with little sacrifices made by each one of us. I wish you all good health. Please take care.
We will be back stronger. I pray for all athletes around the world so they will be back to their normal schedule very soon🤞
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.
“Russia has reported only 658 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 1 death”
LMAO
Russia has 5000 workers building a hospital just outside Russia to take care of coronavirus patients. They are trying to prepare for the inevitable surge of patients. When that happens in Russia the 18 year old will gain some perspective.
Outside of Moscow. You can see progress on the net . They managed the China contagion but the 2nd wave is coming from Europe . The mayor of Moscow says the elite & hipsters brought it back from the Euro ski fields.
The peasant health workers will rise up.& pull the plugs on their ventilators
Typical immature SwimSwam comments being negative no matter what. As if you all are perfect
It would be rather ironic if he end up missing the next olympics through injury or other reasons … just saying
I hope you are a kid and not an adult because that is not cool… just saying
I thought Russia was banned?
The backlash to his original post was warranted, but I’m glad he apologized for his comments. He’s still a kid and needs to learn how to handle himself as a public figure, and this will serve as a great lesson that posting your initial reactions aren’t always the smartest move. What he said was wrong, but I believe he now knows that it was wrong and will learn from this.
I’m impressed with the English statement…. does he have an agent?
I suspect his English had to be pretty good to get into Stanford.
Yeah, apology sounds very “Stanford Like” English. Shows to me he really wants his Stanford education, which means it really will be a good thing for student and faculty. Good luck to both of them in keeping the wild beast alive while taming the vocab. It is a fine line.
I am sure this will get down votes but I think it sucks that he has to apologize for voicing his opinion. Obviously the “correct” opinion is to be sympathetic to the health needs of the world but it is perfectly understandable to be frustrated. I think what people forget is that most athletes with a shot to make a life changing result get pretty intense in their preparation in the 12 months leading up to the games. Yes, all elite athletes are intense over all years, but those I have been around always flip a switch to a whole new level in the last year. Typically it involves no parties, no physical activities (I think I recall Bowman saying… Read more »
i don’ know. I think first reactions do show who a person really is. Like those who show immediate compassion to someone in crisis. Or sacrifice themselves for others in an instant. Its those who a day later, after they see public reaction and are advised by others and change their tune… who are often then displaying who they are not. But we have all made mistakes.
You mean, like the people who reacted here with compassion in the comments to paint this kid as one thing based on the moment of crisis that he was in?
And, the people who should know better about the stages of emotional development of a young person (yeah, I’ve read enough of your comments to have a good guess as to who you are meeee) and still want to vilify a kid as he grows through his mistakes?
Yeah, those things really do show who people are.
huh?