Turkish prosecutors have ordered the collection of security footage from the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race as part of an investigation into the disappearance of Russian swimmer Nikolai Svechnikov, who has been missing since August 24.
Svechnikov vanished while competing in the 37th Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race, which began at Kanlıca Pier in İstanbul’s Beykoz district and ended at Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park.
He was one of 2,820 athletes from 81 countries who participated in the 37th Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race, a major annual open-water event organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TMOK), but failed to reach the shore after the 6.5-kilometer (4 mile) race from İstanbul’s Asian shore to the European side, prompting a large-scale search by police and coast guard teams.
The Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, which is investigating the disappearance of the Russian swimmer, sent a request to the Sarıyer Law Enforcement Support Command, asking that Svechnikov’s identity and address be confirmed and that all video recordings from the race and surrounding areas be gathered and submitted.
Prosecutors also instructed that statements be taken from Svechnikov’s family members and fellow athletes. In addition, they ordered checks of hotel and hospital records to determine whether the 29-year-old swimmer had been registered anywhere following the race.
Prosecutors found that the Russian swimmer arrived in İstanbul on August 23, checked into the AKKA Suites hotel in the city’s Beyoğlu district and competed in the race wearing a green swim cap.
His wife, Antonina, arrived in İstanbul shortly after his disappearance, leaving their 9-month-old child in Moscow. She told Turkish media she remained hopeful he would be found and said officials and race organizers had promised to make every effort to locate him.
Local reports described Svechnikov as a world record holder in swimming and the owner of a swimming school in Russia. Friends and students expressed deep concern, while Turkish media speculated that he may have suffered a leg cramp and been swept away by currents.
Search and rescue teams continue to comb the Bosphorus, with efforts concentrated between Kanlıca and Kuruçeşme, but as of Tuesday no trace of the swimmer had been found.
The İstanbul Governor’s Office said Svechnikov’s participation at the start of the race was confirmed through video footage and by the timing chips attached to the swimmers’ ankles.
TMOK confirmed Svechnikov’s disappearance in a statement on Monday, saying it was “deeply saddened” and that authorities were fully mobilized.
A TMOK official told BBC Turkish that chips worn on swimmers’ ankles were designed to only measure race times and worked only when in contact with a magnetic mat. The official said the devices did not contain GPS technology to locate missing swimmers.
Swimmers face strong currents and choppy waves while traversing the waterway, which links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and divides Turkey’s largest city. The strait was closed to maritime traffic for the event, which was organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee.
SwimTrek, a company offering entry to the race, described race conditions as “challenging” on its website, adding that “experience of swimming in all sea conditions is essential.”