Boris Nikitin

Boris Vasilievich Nikitin (Борис Васильевич Никитин; 5 March 1938 – 20 October 1984) was a Soviet freestyle swimmer. He had his best achievements in the 4 × 200 m relay, in which he set a world record in 1956, and won a bronze medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics and a gold medal at the 1958 European Aquatics Championships; his team finished eighths at the 1960 Olympics. Individually, he won a European silver medal in the 400 m freestyle in 1958, but did not reach the final in that event at the 1956 Olympics.

Between 1956 and 1962 he set five European records in the 4 × 200 m freestyle, 400 m freestyle and 400 m medley events. He won six national titles, in the 400 m (1956–1960) and 1500 m freestyle disciplines (1957).