18-year-old swimmer Zheltiakov wins historic Euro 2024 gold medal
20 June 2024 10:46
18-year-old swimmer Oleksandr Zheltiakov won a historic 200-metre backstroke gold medal at the European Aquatics Championships. This was reported by Suspilne Sport, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The Dnipro native won the 200-metre backstroke. He snatched the victory in the last metres of the course. Having started the race sixth in the first 50 metres, the Ukrainian swimmer finished half the distance in the top 3. With 50 metres to go, Zheltiakov continued to be third. However, in the end, he became the champion, beating the Greek Apostolos Siskos by 0.03 seconds.
this is the first time that 18-year-old Oleksandr has won an award at the Euros at the adult level.
This is Ukraine’s first ever gold medal in the 200m backstroke. It is also Ukraine’s first medal in backstroke at the European Aquatics Championships in 24 years. in 2000, Volodymyr Mykolaychyk won silver in the 100 metres.
Zheltiakov’s result in the Euro 2024 final is also a new national record in the 200m backstroke. The Ukrainian swimmer improved the previous record, which also belonged to him, by 0.4 seconds.
The European Aquatics Championships take place from 17 to 23 June in Belgrade.
