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The family of Russian swimmer Nikolai Svechnikov, who disappeared during a cross-Bosphorus swimming event in Istanbul, plans to pursue legal action against the race organizers, the athlete's mother told RT news agency Sunday.
"They (the organizers) were obligated to ensure safety, so they must bear responsibility," she said in an interview.
The swimmer's mother questioned the organizers' response during the competition, noting they assisted two other participants who encountered difficulties but failed to notice her son's disappearance. She also disputed claims by a Turkish swimmer who alleged that Nikolai voluntarily left the race course.
Svechnikov, a candidate master of sport, went missing during the intercontinental swimming race across the Bosphorus Strait on August 24.
Search operations involving divers, helicopters and sonar equipment continue in the strait. The Beykoz district prosecutor's office in Istanbul has formed a specialized police unit to investigate the case, considering the possibility that the Russian swimmer did not drown. Authorities have requested surveillance footage from waterfront cafes and other coastal establishments.
According to a spokesperson for Türkiye's National Olympic Committee, Svechnikov's training partners reported swimming alongside him for part of the distance before losing sight of him.
The Russian Consulate General in Istanbul maintains contact with Turkish authorities regarding the search efforts. Local emergency services continue rescue operations, diplomats confirmed to RIA Novosti news agency.
Race organizers previously stated they were "deeply saddened" by the incident and maintained that the event was conducted under high safety standards.
The swimmer's mother said she is currently processing travel documents to travel to Istanbul as soon as possible to join the search efforts.
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