Russian swimmer Anastasia Kirpichnikova, who has competed for France, earned a silver medal in the 1500-meter freestyle at the Paris Olympic Games. Her reflections after the race highlight a moment of high emotion and personal milestone: “Championship.”
“This is unbelievable! I even swapped my sports citizenship for this moment, and the feeling is still sinking in. My goal was to stand on the podium, and I doubted I would go higher than third, but here I am, in second place,” Kirpichnikova shared with a mixture of relief and celebration.
The warmth of the local crowd came as a pleasant surprise to the athlete, who emphasized the strong support she encountered from people in the host city.
“I’ve only been French for a year, yet the community treated me like one of their own. Not everyone is happy about my decision, there are critics, much like in Russia, but most people embraced the achievement and cheered for the medal,” she added, underscoring the mixed reactions that often accompany national changes in sport.
In a closely watched duel, Kirpichnikova was edged out by American Katie Ledecky, who claimed the top spot and set a new Olympic record. The outcome marked a remarkable performance for Kirpichnikova, who navigated intense competition to reach the podium.
Historically, the 24-year-old swimmer represented Russia in major events until 2023, having already claimed multiple European Championship titles, underscoring a career of sustained excellence on the international stage.
The Paris Olympic Games opened on July 26 and ran through August 11, with the opening ceremony held on the Seine River. As is customary in this edition, Russian athletes who compete under a neutral flag did not participate in the ceremonial event, a point noted by observers and participants alike in the lead-up to the Games.
In post-event coverage, commentators and officials highlighted Kirpichnikova’s silver-medal performance and acknowledged the broader context of the competition, including the broader field and the challenges faced by athletes navigating changes in nationality and training environments. The moment was celebrated by teammates and supporters, who recognized the dedication required to excel at the Olympics and the significance of achieving a podium finish on a global stage. [Citation: Olympic Committee records and event reporting]