Two-time Olympic medalist and 6-time European Champion Danila Izotov will not race in two weeks at the 2014 European Championships in Berlin, according to Russian Swimming Federation president Vladimir Salnikov. The news was reported by Russian site “All Sport“.
Salnikov cited an ongoing shoulder injury with which Izotov has been battling.
“Today, the head coach of the Russian Swimming Anatoly Zhuravlev made a final decision on the composition of our team at the European Championships in Germany,” said Vladimir Salnikov in Russian. “Changes in the team, made a few days ago after the Cup of Russia – were minimal. Unfortunately, in Berlin will not perform the double Olympic medalist Danila Izotov. He has an injury. “
This somewhat derails the attempts by the 22-year old Izotov to revive his career. He is just the 10th-fastest 200 freestyler in Russia this year, but 2013 was his best season in three seasons. He swam the second-best time of his career and almost got back to his lifetime best in the 200 free that was done in 2009. He also won his first international individual medals since 2010 by winning bronze in the 200 free at the World Championships, and gold in the 200 free and silver in the 100 free at the European Short Course Championships in December.
Izotov, champion Yannick Agnel, and Britain’s Robbie Renwick were the only three Europeans to final in the 200 free at Worlds last year.
Without Izotov, Agnel is sure to be european champion at the 200meter freestyle in Berlin …