A Russian athlete went missing during Istanbul’s annual cross-continental Bosphorus swimming race, Turkish authorities confirmed today,Monday,August 25, 2025.
The missing swimmer, 30-year-old Nikolai Svechnikov, began the 6.5-kilometre (4-mile) race on Sunday morning alongside more than 2,800 participants from 81 countries.
The event takes swimmers across the Bosphorus Strait — one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes — from the Kanlica neighbourhood on the Asian side to Kurucesme on the European side.
According to the Turkish Olympic Committee, which organised the race, Svechnikov did not reach the finish line.
A statement from the Istanbul governor’s office said:
“Security camera footage and the tracking chip attached to his foot showed he started the race but never exited at the finish line.”
Svechnikov, a professional swimming coach, has not been located. Istanbul prosecutors have opened an investigation into his disappearance, while search and rescue operations continue.
Search Efforts Continue
Race officials explained that swimmers have a two-hour time limit to complete the course. The coast guard retrieves anyone who fails to finish within that window.
The committee said the race started at 10:04 am (0704 GMT), with the last swimmer entering the water at 10:54 am.
At the end of the time limit, initial checks showed three swimmers unaccounted for, but this was later reduced to just one — Svechnikov.
“This information was immediately shared with the coast guard command, the maritime police, and the governor’s office. Search and rescue operations were launched without delay,” the committee added.
Russia Responds
Russia’s consulate general in Istanbul confirmed it is in contact with Turkish authorities and has informed Svechnikov’s family of the situation.
As of late Monday, no trace of the missing swimmer had been found. Authorities pledged to continue working closely with the coast guard and police to uncover what happened.
Armenian Dram
Ghana Cedi
Gambian Dalasi
Guinea Franc
Nigerian Naira
CFA Franc BEAC
