Russian swimmer Nikolay Svechnikov has gone missing during a competition in Turkiye.

Axar.az informs the news was reported by the "Gazeta.ru" Telegram channel.

The experienced athlete disappeared during the "Bosphorus-2025" intercontinental swimming race.

Svechnikov was among the first to start, but out of roughly 3,000 participants, he was the only one not to reach the finish line. Organizers realized this only 12 hours later.

The swimmer is being searched for by the coast guard, drones, and divers, but the efforts have so far been unsuccessful. Turkish authorities have also opened an investigation.

The "Shot" Telegram channel suggests that Svechnikov may have exhausted himself or suffered a cramp near the first bridge while crossing the Bosporus.

Other athletes said they saw someone floating on their back who resembled him. Another possibility is that he was swept toward the opposite shore by the current or experienced a cramp near the end of the course.

Athletes also noted that there was a strong countercurrent this year. One participant said that while they had planned to swim 6.5 kilometers in 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes, it took 1 hour 46 minutes this year.