Double gold medalist in Atlanta, in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle, Alexander Popov of Russia, was stabbed on a Moscow street Saturday by watermelon vendors. Doctors on Monday listed Popov in serious condition following an emergency operation to heal wounds that grazed his lungs and kidneys. Popov downplayed his injuries and told reporters he would be walking and swimming soon. Reuter’s news service reported that Vitaly Smirnov, president of the Russian National Olympic Committee might ask the government to take measures to protect the country’s best athletes, some of whom have already chosen to live abroad for fear of a surge in crime in post-Soviet Russia.
Swimming World Magazine will forward get well letters to Alexander Popov.
Send to: Swimming World Magazine, C/O Alexander Popov, PO Box 2025, Sedona, AZ 86339.