Alexander Popov: One of the greatest Russian freestyle swimmers
Russian Alexander Popov is thought by many to be the most gifted sprint freestyle swimmers of his generation. His skilled technique and competitive spirit has earned him many awards and accolades in the swimming world. Popov’s amazing career has given him
the recognition and respect from many of the world’s top swimmers.
Alexander Popov began swimming at 8 years of age. His debut to international swimming came in 1991 at the European Long Course Swimming Championships. Popov participated in the 100m freestyle, 4*100m freestyle relay and 4*100m medley relay, winning gold
medals in all the events.
Then at 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, Popov added another event, the 50m freestyle to his participation in the 100m freestyle, 4*100m freestyle relay and 4*100m medley relay. This time he won gold medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle and silver medals in
4*100m freestyle and 4*100m medley relay.
At the 1993 European Long Course Championships, Popov again participated in the same four events and he won gold medals in all of them. Popov took part in the 1994 World Championships and managed to win two gold medals in the 50m freestyle and the 100m freestyle
and two silver medals in 4*100m freestyle relay and the 4*100m medley relay.
Popov took part in his four main events including the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 4*100m freestyle relay and 4*100m freestyle relay in the 1994 European Championships. He managed to win gold medals in all of them with remarkable improvement in his timings.
In the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Popov won gold medals in the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle and won two silver medals in 4*100m freestyle relay and 4*100m medley relay, being a part of Russian relay team.
One month after Atlanta Olympics, Popov got stuck in a dispute in Moscow with three street vendors. He was stabbed in the abdomen and was severely hurt, his kidney was cropped. Yet after such a severe injury, Popov managed to recover quickly and defended
his titles of the 50m freestyle and the 100m freestyle at the 1997 European Long Course Championships. He also won gold medals in the 4*100m freestyle relay and 4*100m medley relay events.
During the World Championships of 1998, his performance deteriorated and he won a gold medal in the 100m freestyle and managed a silver medal and a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle and 4*100m freestyle events.
Then in 1999, at European Championships, his bad performance continued and positions changed a little. This time, Popov won two silver medals in the 100m freestyle and 4*100m freestyle and two bronze medals in the 50m freestyle and 4*100m medley relay respectively.
His performance elevated in 2000, at European Championships, and he once again won gold medals in his all four events. The same year at 2000 Sydney Olympics, Popov managed a silver medal in the 100m freestyle event.
During the 2002 European Championships, Popov won a gold medal in the medley relay and a silver medal in the 100m freestyle followed by three gold medals in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 4*100m freestyle. He managed to win a silver medal in medley
relay, at the 2003 World Championships.
Popov then announced his participation in the 2004 Athens Olympics, but being the oldest swimmer at those championships, he was unable to make it to the finals of the 50m and the 100m freestyle events. He subsequently retired from competitive swimming after
his dismal performance.
Popov’s tremendous career will always be remembered by his many fans all around the world. The excitement he brought to the swimming pool will always remind many of how great he really was.
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