The death of Russian freediving champion Andrey Matveenko during the CMAS World Championships in Greece has raised serious questions about athlete safety, emergency preparedness, and institutional oversight. With timely access to a nearby hyperbaric chamber, he might have been able to celebrate Christmas with his family.
Matveenko suffered a medical emergency on 6 September 2025 during an official training session in Mytikas, Greece. Records show the 45-year-old diver lost consciousness at a depth of 15 metres after completing a dive to 126 metres. Neurological symptoms were observed on the right side of his body, and he was transported to Lefkada General Hospital.
Medical protocols for freediving incidents require rapid access to hyperbaric treatment. CMAS safety guidelines specify that injured athletes should be transferred to a hyperbaric chamber within 2 hours and 45 minutes to a maximum of 3 hours and 20 minutes. In Matveenko’s case, that timeframe was exceeded.
He was first admitted to Lefkada General Hospital, then transferred to the Triasion Neurology Emergency Clinic in Athens, before finally being taken to the Hellenic Navy Hospital in the Greek capital, where hyperbaric treatment was administered. The multiple transfers and delays have raised questions about compliance with established safety procedures.
Andrey Matveenko
Host responsibilities and CMAS oversight
Under CMAS regulations, responsibility for competition safety is delegated to the host nation. However, it remains unclear what level of assessment CMAS conducted regarding Greece’s capacity to provide immediate specialist medical care for high-risk freediving events.
CMAS has not publicly explained what expert evaluation underpinned the decision to stage the championships in Mytikas, nor how local medical readiness was assessed. Questions also remain as to whether safety recommendations issued following the 2024 CMAS World Championships, which identified weaknesses in emergency response and medical infrastructure, were implemented for the 2025 event.
Critics argue that both CMAS and the Greek authorities bear responsibility. While CMAS approved the venue based on local capabilities, the Greek Ministry of Sports ultimately authorised the event, raising concerns about whether athlete safety was given sufficient priority when granting approval.
Silence and resignation
In Russia, media coverage largely focused on Matveenko’s sporting achievements, with limited scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding his death or the responsibilities of organisers and governing bodies.
CMAS is led by Anna Arzhanova, a Russian national with Serbian citizenship, who has served as president since 2013 and holds a board member position on the Executive Board of the Association of IOC-Recognised International Sports Federations, following an unsuccessful bid for the ARISF presidency. The organisation has not issued a detailed public explanation addressing the safety failures highlighted by the incident.
In the aftermath, Alessia Zecchini resigned as president of the CMAS Athletes’ Commission. Her resignation statement made no reference to Matveenko’s death.
“During this season, and particularly throughout the World Championships, it became clear that this role requires time, continuity, and constant presence, especially in delicate situations,” Zecchini said. “Competing at the highest level demands total commitment, and I do not believe it is right to continue in such an important position without being able to dedicate the time it truly deserves.”
While Zecchini cited competing demands as the reason for her departure, her resignation has done little to ease concerns about athlete representation and safety oversight at a time when the sport is under increased scrutiny.
Matveenko’s death has intensified calls for greater transparency, clearer accountability, and stricter enforcement of safety standards in elite freediving competitions. Observers say these issues now go beyond a single tragedy and raise fundamental questions about the governance of the sport.
