Elvira Khasyanova begins her second season as head coach of the Stanford artistic swimming program in 2027, having already contributed the Cardinal's championship legacy.
Appointed to the head coaching role on Oct. 10, 2025, after serving as assistant coach for the previous seven seasons, Khasyanova's steadying influence and leadership was immediately on full display.Â
Under Khasyanova's guidance, Stanford claimed the 2026 USA Artistic Swimming Collegiate National Championship title to repeat as national champions, securing back-to-back national championships for the first time since a four-peat stretch from 2005-08 for its 11th title in school history. The Cardinal won the national championship while hosting, accomplishing the feat for the fifth time in program history.
The Cardinal also won its fifth straight MPSF crown, with Khasyanova being named the MPSF Coach of the Meet.
A 2021 International Swimming Hall of Fame inductee, Khasyanova boasts an extremely decorated professional career competing as a member of the Russian Senior National Team from 1999-2012 and a three-time Olympic gold medalist in the team competition (2004, 2008, 2012).
During Khasyanova’s tenure, Stanford has produced three national championships overall (2021, 2025, 2026), five consecutive MPSF titles (2022-26) and 12 individual national champions. Khasyanova has also mentored 22 USA Artistic Swimming All-Americans, combining for 48 total honors while serving as assistant coach responsible for all program operations.
Stanford's 2021 national title was especially memorable, winning it all for the first time since 2016 and dethroning three-time defending champion Ohio State while competing in front of its home crowd at Avery Aquatic Center.
Khasyanova is also a nine-time World Championships gold medalist in the team competition (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011) while adding event victories in free routine combination and team technical routine over her final two appearances.
Prior to arriving at Stanford, Khasyanova spent the previous three years coaching with the U.S. National Team, working with the senior and junior squads and traveling to major competitions in China, Japan, Canada and the U.S. as part of the FINA World Series for Artistic Swimming. Khasyanova also coached the 2019 Junior Worlds in Hungary.
A four-time European champion (2002, 2004, 2006, 2010), Khasyanova retired from professional competition in November 2012. Upon returning home from the 2012 London Olympics, Khasyanova and her team were greeted at the Kremlin and presented with state honors by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Khasyanova was one of only five synchronized swimmers presented with the seldom-awarded Order for Services to the Fatherland.
Khasyanova’s first competition as a National Team Member came at the 2001 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, with a victory over the host country. Khasyanova first began competing in synchronized swimming at Club Trud in Moscow, Russia, from 1988-2001. She competed as a member of the Russian Junior National Team from 1994-98, claiming gold in the duet and team events at both the 1996 and 1998 Junior World and Junior European Championships.
Khasyanova graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education in 2005 from the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism in Moscow. She also completed a Baccalaureate in Law in 2009 from Moscow Institute of Business and Law (MIPP) in Moscow.
Khasyanova is married and has one daughter, Sofia, and one son, Waris.
Appointed to the head coaching role on Oct. 10, 2025, after serving as assistant coach for the previous seven seasons, Khasyanova's steadying influence and leadership was immediately on full display.Â
Under Khasyanova's guidance, Stanford claimed the 2026 USA Artistic Swimming Collegiate National Championship title to repeat as national champions, securing back-to-back national championships for the first time since a four-peat stretch from 2005-08 for its 11th title in school history. The Cardinal won the national championship while hosting, accomplishing the feat for the fifth time in program history.
The Cardinal also won its fifth straight MPSF crown, with Khasyanova being named the MPSF Coach of the Meet.
A 2021 International Swimming Hall of Fame inductee, Khasyanova boasts an extremely decorated professional career competing as a member of the Russian Senior National Team from 1999-2012 and a three-time Olympic gold medalist in the team competition (2004, 2008, 2012).
During Khasyanova’s tenure, Stanford has produced three national championships overall (2021, 2025, 2026), five consecutive MPSF titles (2022-26) and 12 individual national champions. Khasyanova has also mentored 22 USA Artistic Swimming All-Americans, combining for 48 total honors while serving as assistant coach responsible for all program operations.
Stanford's 2021 national title was especially memorable, winning it all for the first time since 2016 and dethroning three-time defending champion Ohio State while competing in front of its home crowd at Avery Aquatic Center.
Khasyanova is also a nine-time World Championships gold medalist in the team competition (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011) while adding event victories in free routine combination and team technical routine over her final two appearances.
Prior to arriving at Stanford, Khasyanova spent the previous three years coaching with the U.S. National Team, working with the senior and junior squads and traveling to major competitions in China, Japan, Canada and the U.S. as part of the FINA World Series for Artistic Swimming. Khasyanova also coached the 2019 Junior Worlds in Hungary.
A four-time European champion (2002, 2004, 2006, 2010), Khasyanova retired from professional competition in November 2012. Upon returning home from the 2012 London Olympics, Khasyanova and her team were greeted at the Kremlin and presented with state honors by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Khasyanova was one of only five synchronized swimmers presented with the seldom-awarded Order for Services to the Fatherland.
Khasyanova’s first competition as a National Team Member came at the 2001 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, with a victory over the host country. Khasyanova first began competing in synchronized swimming at Club Trud in Moscow, Russia, from 1988-2001. She competed as a member of the Russian Junior National Team from 1994-98, claiming gold in the duet and team events at both the 1996 and 1998 Junior World and Junior European Championships.
Khasyanova graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education in 2005 from the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism in Moscow. She also completed a Baccalaureate in Law in 2009 from Moscow Institute of Business and Law (MIPP) in Moscow.
Khasyanova is married and has one daughter, Sofia, and one son, Waris.