The Ukrainian team won two gold medals at the 2024 European Aquatics Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
The first medal was won by Alexander Zheltyakov in the 200m backstroke, and the second by — Mikhail Romanchuk in the 800m freestyle.
Zheltyakov and Romanchuk — 2024 Euro aquatics champions
18-year-old Zheltyakov won gold in a dramatic final. He was fifth after the first 50 meters, but was already in the top three by the halfway point. The Ukrainian literally overtook two rivals at once on the final stretch before the finish line and took first place.
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He beat the Greek Apostolos Siskos, who was leading the swim, by 0.03 seconds. Third place went to the Swiss Roman Mityukov.
Zheltyakov’s result (1:55.39 minutes) in the Euro 2024 final also became a new national record at this distance. The previous one also belonged to him, but Alexander improved it by 0.4 seconds.
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The last time a Ukrainian swimmer won a Euro medal in backstroke was back in 2000. Then Vladimir Nikolaychik won silver at a distance of 100 meters.
Ukraine won the second gold at Euro 2024 in Belgrade Mikhail Romanchuk at a distance of 800 meters freestyle.
In the 800-meter final, the Ukrainian swimmer showed a result of 7:46.20 minutes. Silver went to Greek Dimitrios Markos, and bronze — Hungarian Zalan Sarkani.
This is the sixth gold in Romanchuk’s career at Euro 2024 in aquatics. The last time a Ukrainian swimmer won an award was at the 2022 European Championships — in the 1,500m freestyle.
