A swimmer participating in a race has gone missing under mysterious circumstances, with reports suggesting he intentionally veered off course according to a fellow competitor.
Nikolai Svechnikov, a 29-year-old swimming school owner and coach, was last seen midway through the Bosphorus crossing between Asia and Europe but failed to complete the race. Despite extensive search efforts involving 500 individuals and the Turkish navy, he remains unaccounted for following the event that attracted 2,900 participants.
His wife, Antonina, 27, has made an emotional plea for any information on her husband, who traveled from Moscow to Istanbul specifically for the Bosphorus Cross-Continent Swim.
Speculation surrounds the disappearance, with one theory suggesting that he may have encountered difficulties and drowned. However, a new twist emerged when another participant claimed to have witnessed Svechnikov deliberately swimming in the opposite direction towards the shore instead of the finish line.
The concerned competitor, Hayati Şamiloğlu, recounted trying to alert Svechnikov multiple times to no avail, as the latter seemed determined to continue in his chosen path. Despite the unusual behavior, the witness described Svechnikov as a strong swimmer who appeared to be intentionally heading towards land rather than being in distress.
It was revealed that all participants in the race were equipped with a chip for tracking purposes, indicating entry and exit points from the water without GPS capabilities. Recent reports based on the chip data suggest that Svechnikov did not exit the water during the event.
Rescue operations were in place along the four-mile route of the swim, with no other missing participants reported. Antonina, the swimmer’s wife, continues to seek assistance in locating her husband, providing details of his attire and physical characteristics to aid in the search.
Despite the ongoing search efforts, the family remains hopeful for Svechnikov’s safe return, emphasizing his fitness and swimming expertise as a professional in the sport.
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