Ruslan Gaziev (born August 16, 1999) is a Canadian competitive swimmer of Avar descent who specializes in the freestyle.[1] Gaziev currently resides and trains in Toronto.[1]
As part of the 2021 Canadian Olympic swimming trials in Toronto, Gaziev finished in third in the 100m freestyle. This qualified him for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[3][4][5]
The following day he won a bronze with the men's team in the 4×100 m freestyle. This was the first men's relay medal for Canada at a major event since the 2015 Pan American Games, and the first at the Commonwealth Games since 2006. Gaziev said afterward that "I told the boys this is two years out of the Olympics. We might not have won but we are building momentum. We're young and we have so much there."[9] He went on to reach the final of the 100 m freestyle, and placed fourth, 0.27 seconds behind bronze medalist Duncan Scott. He noted "four years ago at this meet I didn't even reach the semifinal so I've come a long way."[10] Gaziev then distinguished himself swimming the anchor leg for Canada in the 4×100 m mixed medley, narrowly out-touching Freya Anderson of England to take the silver medal for the team.[11][12]
In May 2024, he was suspended for 18 months for anti-doping violations.[13]
References
^ ab"Ruslan Gaziev". www.swimming.ca/. Swimming Canada. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
