Denis Pankratov is a swimmer who has competed for the Unified Team and Russia. He competed at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Summer Olympic Games.
Pankratov was highly regarded as the world's top butterfly swimmer in the mid-1990s. He placed sixth in the men's 200 metres butterfly at his Olympic debut in 1992, representing the Unified Team. Four years later, he entered his second Games in Atlanta as the top medal favorite for the gold in the butterfly double (100 and 200). He claimed two golds in the men's butterfly double (100 and 200), along with his own world record time (52.27) in the 100, and a silver as a member of the Russian men's team in the 4x100 metres medley relay.
His gold medal triumph in the 100 metres butterfly was renowned for an unusual technique by swimming more than 25 metres of the first lap and then 15 metres on the opposite direction underwater. His technique soon caused a rule change for butterfly swimmers to plunge until 15 metres, similar to the other strokes.
Pankratov attempted to repeat his glorious success at Sydney 2000, but he finished seventh in the men's 200 metres butterfly final. Two years later, he retired from competitive swimming.
He is married to Barcelona 1992 bronze medalist Olga Kiritchenko.
Olympic Results[]
| Year | Event | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Men's 200m butterfly | 6th |
| 1996 | Men's 100m butterfly | 
|
| Men's 200m butterfly |
| |
| Men's 4x100m medley relay | 
| |
| 2000 | Men's 200m butterfly | 7th |
1992[]
| Discipline | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 200 metres butterfly | Heats | 1:59.00 |
| A Final | 1:58.98 |
1996[]
| Discipline | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 metres butterfly | Heats | 52.96 | |
| A Final | 52.27 | WR | |
| 200 metres butterfly | Heats | 1:58.28 | |
| A Final | 1:56.51 | ||
| 4x100 metres medley relay | Heats | 3:41.49 (Reserve) |
|
| Final | 3:37.55 (51.55 split) |
AR |
2000[]
| Discipline | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 200 metres butterfly | Heats | 1:58.01 |
| Semifinal | 1:57.24 | |
| Final | 1:57.97 |