FLASH! Neutral Athletes of Russia Cap World Champs With WR in Men’s 400 Medley Relay
Heading into the final event of the World Short Course Championships, the Neutral Athletes of Russia had a distinct advantage in the 400-meter medley relay. On the breaststroke leg, Kirill Prigoda figured to be a game-changer, and that scenario proved true as Russia set a world record and defeated the United States, 3:18.68 to 3:19.03. The previous world record belonged to Australia at 3:18.98 from 2022.
The Neutral Athletes of Russia received a leadoff backstroke leg of 49.31 from Miron Lifintsev, but that effort trailed the effort of the United States, which received a 48.92 opener from Shaine Casas. But by the time the breaststroke leg was completed, the Russian squad had a commanding lead. With Prigoda checking in with a split of 55.15, Russia moved comfortably clear of the field, as Team USA received a 57.03 breaststroke leg from Michael Andrew.
Although Dare Rose ate into the United States’ deficit on the butterfly leg, with his 48.55 split, Russia got a 48.80 swim from Andrei Minakov to remain in front. On the anchor leg, Jack Alexy did what he could to pull off a comeback victory, as the Cal standout covered his freestyle leg in 44.53. Yet, Russia’s Egor Kornev split 45.42 to seal the victory and produce a world record.
Italy picked up the bronze medal as the foursome of Lorenzo Mora, Ludovico Viberti, Michele Busa and Alessandro Miressi combined for a time of 3:19.91.
