Turkish authorities are searching the Bosphorus for Russian swimmer Nikolay Svechnikov, 29, who went missing during Sunday’s 37th Istanbul Cross-Continental Swimming Race, the Russian Consulate General said on Monday.
The 6.5-kilometre event across the Istanbul Strait, organised by the Turkish National Olympic Committee, drew 2,820 athletes from 81 countries. Svechnikov failed to reach the finish line at Kuruçeşme, triggering an immediate response from the Marine Police and Coast Guard.
“Relatives of the citizen have been informed about the incident. Turkish emergency services are conducting search operations,” the consulate said, adding that it has filed an official request with Turkish authorities and remains in contact for updates.
Rescue teams are focusing on the Kanlıca–Kuruçeşme route while monitoring wider sections of the strait. Officials did not provide details on possible causes or a timeline for the operation.
The Istanbul Cross-Continental race links Asia and Europe and is one of the world’s best-known open-water competitions, attracting both amateur and elite swimmers each year.
