Russian synchronised swimming championship 2018: event management up to the mark
The Russian Synchronised Swimming Championship kicked off in Kazan on April 25. The official opening ceremony followed the press conference. First Vice-President of the Russian Synchro Swimming Federation Olga Brusnikina, Russian State Duma member Olga Pavlova, first Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport of Tatarstan Khalil Shaykhutdinov and President of Synchro Swimming Federation of Tatarstan Airat Davletshin took the floor.
Three-time Olympic Champion and four-time world champion Olga Brusnikina thanked the organising committee of the national championship for a high level and focus on details. “On behalf of the Russian Synchro Swimming Federation, I’d like to say many thanks for hospitality and wonderful organisation of the competitions. I must admit, some athletes participate in such a big competition, as the Russian Championship, for the first time. Of course, they are delighted to witness how the event is organised, what venue they perform in and how professionally the organising committee operates. As usual, Tatarstan is at its best, as far as the organisation of sporting events is concerned”, Olga Brusnikina mentioned.
About 300 athletes from 13 regions are the participants of the national championship. Earlier Kazan hosted the Russian Synchronised Swimming Championship twice, in 2013 and 2014. “The competition of the tournament is tough, the participating teams are very strong, indeed. For example, Moscow is represented by six teams, Saint Petersburg – by two teams. We’ll impose competition, as well: we have good schools in Naberezhnye Chelny and Kazan. The Synchro Swimming Federation of the Republic has contributed much to the organisation of the tournament”, Khalil Shaykhutdinov underlined. “We’ve just announced the competitions open and already see the fight as different teams make to the podium, which is very good for our sport. Looking forward to the next days,” Olga Brusnikina confirmed Khalil Shaykhutdinov’s words.
Olga Pavlova called this Russian Championship pivotal for Kazan and Tatarstan. “A lot of things are done in the republic: swimming pools and the infrastructure are being built, but we need to see our goldfish residing in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other regions. We need to see what we should strive for,” stated the Russian State Duma member.
Kazan is a special city for synchro swimming. During the 2015 FINA World Championships here in Kazan, mixed duets performed for the first time ever. Three years later Mikhail Vasilyev and Alina Mantulenko will compete for the national title. They represent the Moscow region. “This is our junior duet who are getting ready for the European and World Championships. This is our only junior duet in Russia. Their mixed duet will compete against the duets and polish their routines for the major tournaments,” told Olga Brusnikina.