Frenchwoman Anastasiia Kirpichnikova qualified on Monday for the final of the 1500m freestyle at the World Swimming Championships in Doha, but does not yet know if her state of health will allow her to compete in the event. Having been ill for several days, Kirpichnikova swam her series in 16 min 14 sec 76, 26 seconds off her personal best.
She achieved the fifth best time among those entered but indicated that she was not sure of competing in the final on Tuesday evening. “I’m going to speak with Philippe (Lucas, his trainer, Editor’s note) and we’ll see,” she declared in the mixed zone between two coughing fits.
Caught in the lungs, the swimmer of Russian origin was eliminated from the 400m heats on Saturday. She also has to compete in the 800m this weekend.
