STANFORD, Calif. – Another Cardinal is Tokyo bound.
Freshman Andrei Minakov of men's swimming and diving qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics, held in 2021, as a member of the Russian national team. Following an impressive week at the Russian National Swimming Championships, April 3-9, he qualified for the Olympics in both the 100 free and 100 fly.
Minakov redshirted this past season to remain in Russia and train for the Olympics.
"I can say that the dream becomes a reality," Minakov said after making his first Olympic team at the age of 19. "Coming back to childhood, I had a dream of participating in the Olympic Games, because I think it's something special. It is more than just a competition, it is a true celebration. I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete there."
Minakov took home the top spot in the finals of the 100 fly, swimming 51.17 to confirm a spot on the Olympic team.
In the 100 free, Minakov held off a late charge to finish second and claim the final Olympic spot in the event. The top three finishers all broke 48-seconds with Minakov's 47.77 trailing Kliment Kolesnikov's national record of 47.31.
The Tokyo Olympics is set to open on July 23, with swimming running July 24 – August 1.