Swimming Career Highlights
Alexander Popov, Russia Born : 1971 in Sverdlovsk. "The Russian Rocket" has a strong claim to the title - Greatest Ever Sprint Freestyler. With consecutive Olympic doubles in 50 and 100 metres, Popov kept a stranglehold on the might of American sprinters. Current 50 metres Freestyle world record holder. Overcoming a stabbing he amazingly took World titles at the age of 31 !

 

Titles (Long Course)

1991:
 European: 100 metres Freestyle
1992:
 Olympics: 50 metres Freestyle; 100 metres Freestyle
1993:
European: 50 metres Freestyle; 100 metres Freestyle
1994:
World: 50 metres Freestyle; 100 metres Freestyle
European Swimmer of the Year
1995:
European: 50 metres Freestyle; 100 metres Freestyle
1996:
Olympics: 50 metres Freestyle; 100 metres Freestyle
1997:
European: 50 metres Freestyle; 100 metres Freestyle
1998:
World: 100 metres Freestyle
1999:
2000:
European: 50 metres Freestyle; 100 metres Freestyle;
4 x 100 Freestyle relay; 4 x 100 Medley relay
2001:
2002:
2003:
World: 50 metres Freestyle; 100 metres Freestyle
European Swimmer of the Year

World Records

1994:
 100 metres Freestyle : 48.21
2000:
50 metres Freestyle : 21.64
 


Titles (Short Course)

1994:
50 metres Freestyle: 21.50
100 metres Freestyle: 47.83; 47.82; 47.12; 46.74