The Varsity Blues men's swimming program is pleased to announce that Ruslan Gaziev has accepted his offer of admission and committed to competing for the Varsity Blues beginning in the 2021-22 season.
 
Gaziev, who was recently named to Canada's national team for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo later this month, has chosen to transfer to U of T after competing for a year in the NCAA.
 
"Ruslan is a world-class sprinter and will obviously make an immediate impact for the Varsity Blues," said Varsity Blues head coach Byron MacDonald. "I have been able to watch his progress closely as he lives in the Toronto area and even took him on a high-altitude training camp with our group two years ago so I knew his upside. It's great that he has reached the major milestone of making the Olympic team."
 
Originally from Moscow, Gaziev is no stranger to international competition. He was a member of the 4x100 freestyle relay team that placed fifth at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. He also finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle relay events at the 2018 Pan Pacific championships in Tokyo.
 
He will join current Varsity Blue Gabe Mastromatteo and alumna Kylie Masse, as well as assistant head coach Linda Kiefer, at the Olympic Games in Tokyo later this month and is set to compete in the 4x100 freestyle relay.
 
Gaziev will begin his studies in social science at the University of Toronto Mississauga this fall.
 
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