Russian swimmer Alina Gayfutdinova has admitted she previously felt intimidated by her American rivals, whom she once viewed as invincible.
Speaking to Russian sports publication Sport-Express, the national record holder in the 50-metre backstroke described how her perception of international opponents has shifted as she works to build consistency at the top level of competition.
Gayfutdinova explained that standing alongside swimmers from the United States in the call room before races used to leave her feeling overwhelmed. She recalled noticing that her leg appeared roughly three times smaller than those of her American competitors, making them seem unreal and imposing.
She added that while athletes can talk as much as they like about their own strength, sitting in the call room next to US sprinters presented a stark contrast in presence.
Shifting mindset in sprint backstroke
Gayfutdinova stated that her attitude toward American competitors has since changed. She noted that her primary focus now is to master consistency, step onto the blocks, and race against them without fear.
Her comments follow a successful campaign at the 2026 European Championship, where Gayfutdinova secured three bronze medals for her team.
During the tournament, she delivered a record-breaking performance in the 50-metre backstroke semi-finals, clocking a time of 26.91 seconds to establish a new Russian national record.
Background on international swimming competition
The 50-metre backstroke is the shortest backstroke discipline in competitive swimming. Swimmers start the race in the water, placing their feet against the pool wall and holding onto specialized backstroke handles before launching backward at the signal. The event relies heavily on explosive start power, underwater dolphin kicking, and a high stroke turnover across a single pool length.
In major swimming championships, 50-metre sprint events feature preliminary heats, followed by semi-finals for the fastest sixteen competitors, and an eight-swimmer final. National records are recognized when an athlete posts the fastest official time by a citizen of that country in a certified 50-metre pool.
The call room mentioned by Gayfutdinova serves as the official staging zone at major international meets. Swimmers gather in the room shortly before their scheduled heats to undergo swimwear verification, suit checks, and accreditation reviews before being led out onto the pool deck.
United States swimming programs have long maintained a strong reputation in international sprint events. High school, collegiate, and elite training centers across the nation regularly produce world-class sprinters who compete at the highest global levels.
The European Championship is organized by European Aquatics, the governing body for aquatic sports in Europe. The biennial tournament brings together top athletes from across the continent to compete in pool swimming, open water racing, diving, and artistic swimming.
Sport-Express, which published the interview with Gayfutdinova, is a daily Russian sports newspaper based in Moscow. Founded in 1991, the outlet provides widespread coverage of domestic athletes, national leagues, and international sports developments.
Next steps for the record holder
Following her medal-winning performances and national record swim in the semi-finals, Gayfutdinova aims to maintain her updated mental approach as she seeks further consistency in future competitions.
