FINA Invites Nicholas Santos to Race at 2019 World Championships

Nicholas Santos; Photo Courtesy: R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnya

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Brazil’s Nicholas Santos, the 50 butterfly World Record holder in short course meters and current world-leader in the long course event, has been invited to compete at the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea this July.

Originally, Santos was left off his country’s roster despite his resume. The decision came because Brazil used only Olympic events to choose their team for the meet. The fifties of stroke will be contested at the World Championships, but have yet to be added to the Olympic program.

Since the announcement in April, Santos blasted a 22.60 50 butterfly at the Budapest FINA Champions Swim Series. The 39-year old won the race in a new Brazilian and South American record. It was also his second consecutive win in the event this series and moved him to number one in the world rankings for 2019.

According to The Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports (CBDA), Santos has now been invited to swim at the World Championships via formal request from FINA and Executive Director Cornel Marculesco.

Loosely translated, the request reads:

“Following the swimmer’s excellent performance at the FINA Champions Swim Series 2019, FINA is pleased to invite Mr. Santos to participate in the FINA World Championships that will be held in Gwangju in July 2019. In this way, we would very much like Mr. Santos, taking into account, of course, the FINA Rules on the number of A & B swimmers.”

The request also states that finances for Santos’ trip will be contributed by FINA and his sponsors as a professional athlete. The announcement added that the country had an opening in the event after Gabriel Santos chose to focus on the 100 free and 400 freestyle relay over the 50 butterfly.

As a result, the CBDA has accepted the request and Santos will compete in the 50-meter butterfly at the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships. He will look to improve on his silver-medal finishes in the event in both 2015 and 2017.

The Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports (CBDA) contributed to this report.

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