Swimmer Minakov on his plan to compete before the 2028 Games: ‘The thought of ending my career never crossed my mind’

Triple medalist at the World Championships Andrei Minakov told that he never thought about the possibility of putting his career on hold.

Earlier, 22-year-old Minakov said that he would not get neutral status under current conditions to participate in the Paris Olympics. The athlete lives and studies in the United States.

— Are “Friendship Games” in your plans? They are threatening us with sanctions for having participated in this start-up.

— First of all, I am a Russian citizen. This is my native country and I have no right not to participate in the Friendship Games. This tournament is further proof that the Ministry of Sports and the All-Russian Swimming Federation fully support our athletes. Our participation is to reward them nicely, to show that we are interested and intend to break records, that we are involved in our wonderful sport and that we are ready to prove that Russia is one of the swimming countries the strongest in the world.

— Are you ready to swim before the Los Angeles Games?

— When you weren’t ready?! So far, we haven’t talked about it. I’m young and I never thought about stopping my sports career, even though a lot of things aren’t going well lately. I intend to continue working, I have not yet achieved everything I could in sports, ”Minakov told .

The International Swimming Federation (World Aquatics) allows Russian swimmers to compete in neutral status in accordance with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Los Angeles Olympic Games will take place in the summer of 2028.