Stabbed Russian Swimmer Makes Strides In Recovery Popov, Attacked By Street Vendor, Apparently Caught In Middle Of Altercation Involving Friends

A month ago, Alexander Popov was on top of the world after winning the two sprint freestyle events in the Atlanta Olympics, earning him recognition as the world’s fastest swimmer.

On Monday, the Russian swimmer was in stable condition in an elite Kremlin hospital, where doctors predicted full recovery from a stab wound.

“Of course, he’ll be swimming again, why not?” said Zinaida Avilova, a doctor in the intensive care unit of the exclusive Central Clinical Hospital.

The Russian superstar was seriously injured Saturday night in a fight with watermelon vendors.

“He’s OK now. His temperature, blood pressure and pulse are all normal, and he’s smiling,” Avilova said.

Popov, who won two individual golds and two silver medals in relays in the Atlanta Games, was brought to the city Hospital No. 31 after he was stabbed by street vendors.

“It’s good that it happened not far from the hospital and he was rushed in immediately,” Georgy Golukhov, the chief doctor at Hospital No. 31, told The Associated Press.

Popov was transferred to the more exclusive hospital Monday.

Police said the 25-year-old swimmer was on his way home from a birthday party with a group of friends when they had a squabble with street vendors in western Moscow. Investigators said the fight was apparently initiated by Popov’s friends.

“Popov was simply caught in the middle of the fight, and one of the vendors stabbed him with a knife,” police investigator Vasily Frolov said.

He said police arrested one of the vendors, and identified the man who stabbed Popov. “We are now looking for him,” Frolov said.

Sunday, Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin expressed outrage at the attack and ordered a thorough investigation. And on Monday, President Boris Yeltsin wished Popov a speedy recovery.

In Canberra, Australia, the head of the Australian Institute of Sport, where Popov trains, said he was shocked and deeply concerned.

“He’s such a great swimmer and a great personality and our swimmers feed off that,” AIS director John Boultbee said.

He said he thought Popov, who has lived in Australia for several years, was planning to become an Australian citizen.

Many top Russian athletes have tried to escape the crime and economic woes that have plagued Russia since the Soviet collapse by training abroad.

“I think we’re beginning to realize why he chooses to live in Canberra,” Boultbee said of Popov.

The attack was reminiscent of a mugging of another Russian athlete six months before the 1992 Barcelona Games. Dmitry Sautin, the platform diving champion in Atlanta, was knifed in the stomach and thigh.

In an interview from his hospital bed after surgery, Popov thanked his surgeons.

“There is no cause for concern now,” a weak-looking Popov, his head bandaged, told Russia’s NTV channel. “I’ll soon be walking - and swimming.”

Dr. Golukhov said Popov had not planned to compete until December and had said he intended to rest after the Olympics.