Russian swimmer missing after cross-Bosphorus race in Turkey

ISTANBUL (AP) — Coast guard and maritime police vessels in Istanbul were searching Monday for a Russian swimmer who went missing during a cross-Bosphorus race a day earlier, Turkish state-run media reported.

The swimmer, named by the Anadolu news agency as Nikolai Svechnikov, failed to complete the 6.5-kilometer (4-mile) annual race from Istanbul’s Asian shore to the European side.

A statement from the Istanbul governor’s office said security camera footage and a chip worn by the participants showed the 30-year-old professional swimming coach had started the race but “had not exited the sea at the finish line.”

More than 2,800 swimmers from 81 countries took part in Sunday's competition, which is considered one of the world’s leading open-water races.

Swimmers face strong currents and choppy waves while traversing the waterway, which links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and divides Turkey’s largest city. The strait was closed to maritime traffic for the event, which is organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee.

SwimTrek, a company offering entry to the race, describes race conditions as “challenging” on its website, adding that “experience of swimming in all sea conditions is essential.”

In a statement, the Olympic committee said it was “deeply saddened by the disappearance of one of our athletes during the race.”

It said 100 vessels, including boats from various emergency services, were monitoring swimmers during the race. At the end, the route was scanned for stray competitors and none were found.

Officials realized a swimmer was missing by comparing the lists of participants and those who finished, the statement said.

Competitors celebrate after finishing a 6.5 km swimming race across the Bosphorus Strait, from the Asian side to the European side, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Competitors take part in a 6.5 km swimming race across the Bosphorus Strait, from the Asian side to the European side, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Competitors take part in a 6.5 km swimming race across the Bosphorus Strait, from the Asian side to the European side, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Competitors aboard a ferry heading to the start line of a 6.5-kilometer swimming race across the Bosphorus Strait, from the Asian side to the European side, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Madison Keys lost in the Adelaide International quarterfinals to rising Canadian talent Victoria Mboko on Thursday, less than a week away from the start of her Australian Open title defense.

The 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 loss to Mboko followed last week's quarterfinal loss in the Brisbane International to top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, who she beat at Melbourne Park last year for her first Grand Slam singles title.

Keys was the defending champion at Adelaide.

No. 8-seeded Mboko broke Keys early en route to winning the first set, but couldn’t compete with Keys' big serve in the second. Keys, seeded second at the WTA 500 event, had eight aces in the match, including six in the second set.

Mboko won 75% of her first-serve points in the third set and converted the lone breakpoint available to her. She’ll now face Kimberly Birrell of Australia in the semifinals.

Mboko was named the WTA Newcomer of the Year after winning the National Bank Open in Montreal and raising her ranking from No. 333 at the start of the season to No. 18.

The Australian Open begins on Sunday. Keys has been drawn to face Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine in the first round of the year's first major. Mboko will open against Emerson Jones of Australia.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Victoria Mboko,right, and Cleeve Harper of Canada compete against Elise Mertens and Zizou Bergs of Belgium in their doubles match at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)