Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Russian Refugee’s Son Wins Bahrain’s First Asian Games Swimming Gold
Michel Arkhangelskiy is a 21-year-old swimmer whose family left Russia as political refugees.
He has lived in France for about 16 years.
He could not swim for France because he was not a citizen.
He also said returning to Russia could lead to his arrest.
Bahrain offered him a chance to compete for its team.
On Thursday, he won the 50-metre butterfly at the Asian Games.
His time was 22.91 seconds.
This was Bahrain’s first Asian Games swimming gold medal.
Arkhangelskiy said Bahrain gave him strong support and good training conditions.
Michel Arkhangelskiy won the 50-metre butterfly gold representing Bahrain.
His winning time of 22.91 seconds matched his Asian record set in France in June.
The victory gave Bahrain its first-ever Asian Games swimming title.
Arkhangelskiy said he would face arrest if he returned to Russia because of his family’s political opposition.
Although he had lived in France for 16 years, he could not represent it because he was not a citizen.
- Who
- Michel Arkhangelskiy, a 21-year-old swimmer and son of Russian political refugees.
- What
- He won the 50-metre butterfly gold medal for Bahrain, setting a time of 22.91 seconds.
- When
- Thursday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- The race took place at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
- Why
- Bahrain welcomed Arkhangelskiy as a representative after he could not compete for Russia or France under the circumstances described.
- Athlete
- Michel Arkhangelskiy
- Representing
- Bahrain
- Event
- 50-metre butterfly
- Winning time
- 22.91 seconds
- Record
- Matched his Asian record set in France in June
- Historic result
- Bahrain’s first Asian Games swimming title
- Education
- College swimmer for the University of California, Berkeley