The first stop of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup Silk Road Tour wrapped up at Baku's Aquatic Palace after three nights of record-breaking racing. It was Azerbaijan's first-ever World Aquatics event, and it brought together 216 athletes from 44 nations in front of lively, passionate crowds.
- Kornev and Steenbergen grab the headlines in the Azerbaijan capital, as the Silk Road Tour opened with multiple records
- The country’s first World Aquatics event has also helped set the foundations to inspire future success, with impact driven by the Athlete Experience programme and development initiatives, including record-setting scholarship swimmers
- Rights-free content available on Media Pool throughout Silk Road Tour
The first stop of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup Silk Road Tour wrapped up at Baku's Aquatic Palace after three nights of record-breaking racing.
In what was Azerbaijan's first-ever World Aquatics event, the landmark event brought together 216 athletes from 44 nations in front of lively, passionate crowds of swimming fans.
While Egor Kornev (RUS) equalled the Men’s 100m Freestyle World Record and Marrit Steenbergen (NED) won four golds in Baku, the combination of elite racing and a range of cultural and development initiatives helped deepen the event's engagement with local communities, and shape an exciting future for swimming in the region.
A high standard of racing in front of a vibrant crowd
The Silk Road Tour opened with a colourful ceremony celebrating Azerbaijan's culture and heritage, with traditional music, dancing and a dazzling light show. The racing then matched the occasion.
Kornev equalled Kyle Chalmers' (AUS) World Record in the Men's 100m Freestyle with 44.84 and also set a World Cup Record in the 50m Backstroke (22.23).
Meanwhile Cameron McEvoy (AUS) broke the World Cup Record in the Men's 50m Freestyle on the opening night in 20.22.
Continental records also fell:
Asian Records: Siobhan Haughey (HKG, 50m Freestyle, 23.48) and Yu Yiting (CHN, 100m Individual Medley, 56.99; and 200m Individual Medley, 2:02.80)
African Record: Pieter Coetze (RSA, 50m Backstroke, 22.51; and 100m Backstroke, 49.11)
Steenbergen won the Women’s 50m and 100m Backstroke, 100m Individual Medley and 100m Freestyle, while Kornev and Luke Barr each won three golds in Baku.
Reflecting on her golden week in Baku and the standard of racing seen across the three days, Steenbergen said, "[It's been] really good. Yeah, I think I'm just really happy with everything.
"We've had good races and I'm happy to be here, especially in this pool. It's a great pool. It's good to be back after 11 years."
Barr added:
"I'm really impressed with the city itself, the fans and the crowd, and especially the facility. It's amazing, probably the nicest pool that I've swam in."
Evgeniia Chikunova (RUS), who also raced in Baku at the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2019, said: “I love Baku. I was here in 2019 and I really love this swimming pool, I love the city, I love the country. This is why I am so happy to be here swimming with the girls.”
South Africa's Michael Houlie echoed the positivity. "It's been great, this country is really awesome. The people are so polite, so respectful and the atmosphere here is boosting my performance.
"It's such an elite environment - being around these athletes really raises my game and it's awesome to be a part of. I'm very grateful."
Full results are available here, and daily reports can be read below:
- Day One: McEvoy breaks Swimming World Cup record as Silk Road Tour begins in Baku
- Day Two: Kornev matches 100m Freestyle World Record on day two of Swimming World Cup in Baku
- Day Three: Steenbergen and Kornev lead the way as Baku stop of Swimming World Cup concludes
Athletes' Experience programme inspires the next generation
Alongside the competition, elite athletes are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in event host cities, support community swimming development and inspire young athletes to dream big as part of the World Aquatics Athletes’ Experience programme.
Ahead of Day 1, athletes got a glimpse of Baku by taking a tour of the bustling city that included a visit to the Formula 1 circuit and karting.
A particular highlight of the programme was an hour-long clinic led by Olympic medallists Carson Foster (USA), Haughey and Steenbergen. The clinic, which brought together 30 young swimmers aged 11-15 from local sports schools and regional clubs, helped provide expert insights and technical advice on what it takes to excel in the pool.
Speaking at the swim clinic, Foster said: “More than any stroke or technique advice that we gave them, I hope that they feel inspired to continue to pursue swimming.
Athletes also met fans through three Meet & Greets during the competition, featuring Mona McSharry (IRL), Katarzyna Wasick (POL), Abbie Wood (GBR), Pieter Coetze, Alberto Razzetti (ITA), Yu Yiting, Caspar Corbeau (NED) and Cameron McEvoy.
Read more here.
Providing a platform for future success
For Azerbaijan, hosting its first World Aquatics event presented a chance for the country's swimmers and officials to step onto the international stage on home soil.
In addition to the 15 Azerbaijani racers on show in Baku alongside Olympic and World champions in front of a home crowd, 28 technical officials from Azerbaijan were subject to training programmes designed to help them acquire the skills needed to officiate in elite competition, serving the local community well as it looks to expand its calendar of aquatics events.
Among the home swimmers to benefit from the experience was 15-year-old Mehri Abdurahmanli, one of the youngest athletes in the field, who reached the final of the 100m Butterfly and the 200m Backstroke.
“It's my first World Cup, and I'm one of the youngest swimmers here. I'm so proud to be here, to be in the finals. That's so good for me,” she said.
Racing some of the world's fastest sprinters was a highlight for her.
"I think this competition is a big chance for us, and I wish more competitions like this will be in Baku, and we will swim our best"
The platform even extended beyond the host nation. Two World Aquatics scholarship athletes from Turkmenistan, both training at the World Aquatics Centre of Excellence in Bahrain, set national records.
Valeriya Mirenskaya (TKM) is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Business at the University of Technology Bahrain (UTB), while David Akopyan (TKM) is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at UTB.
Michael Piper, Head Coach of the World Aquatics Centre of Excellence Bahrain, said: “Valeriya and David achieved great success for Turkmenistan at the first World Aquatics World Cup in Baku. Both swimmers set a total of 10 Turkmenistan National records over the three days which is staggering. They have both trained very hard in Bahrain over the past year and deserve great success.”
Akopyan said: “Taking part in the World Cup in Baku was a really special experience for me. It was my first World Cup, so I was very excited to compete at this level and be part of such a big international competition. I didn't make it to the final this time, but I'm still very happy with this experience.
"I learned a lot, got to compete with strong swimmers from different countries, and understood better what I need to improve"
"I'm very grateful for this opportunity and for the support from the World Aquatics scholarship programme.”
Both athletes will also race at the World Cup in Astana, alongside a third Scholarship holder, Nesrine Medjahed (ALG), who also trains in Bahrain.
Follow all the action across World Aquatics’ website and social media platforms, and find out Where to Watch the remaining stops here.
Media covering the Silk Road Tour can find the latest rights-free content from each stop on the World Aquatics MEDIA POOL.