Natalia Istchenko will be awarded next to Michael Phelps.
Natalia Istchenko presented the European Championship gold medal in London in 2016. PDO
Olympic hero of Russia, professional swimmer Natalia Ischenko has been selected to the Fina Hall of Honor of the International Swimming Federation.
Ceremony for the 13 chosen ones, among whom is, among other things, the most successful athlete in Olympic history Michael Phelpswill take place at the end of September in Fort Lauderdale, USA.
– This came as a complete surprise to me. This choice also honors all those who have worked with me, Istchenko said, according to MatchTV.
Istchenko, 36, won five Olympic golds and 19 world championships in his career. He ended his career in 2017, after which he has served as deputy minister of sports in the Kaliningrad region.
Russian swimming athletes have been sidelined by Fina’s decision on international competitions since March of last year due to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.