Two years later, the FINA Artistic Swimming World Series returns to Kazan. During three days, athletes from eight countries will compete for medals in group, solo and duet events. For most competitors, this will be the first major sporting event within the past year. Athletes from Spain, Japan, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Russia came to compete in Kazan.
Head coach of the Russian national team, Tatyana Pokrovskaya, mentioned the importance of the tournament for competitors who need to feel the atmosphere of an international sporting event before the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“We expect decent results and performance from athletes. The main thing is that they enjoy the competition. It is important to feel what a sporting event is, to feel again this forgotten drive, and then to correct mistakes. Lack of events will take a toll on all athletes. They train to show themselves to spectators and judges. Everyone is now in the same conditions. We will fight against the conditions in which the whole world is placed,” said Tatiana Pokrovskaya.
Olga Brusnikina, First Vice-President of the Russian Synchronized Swimming Federation, thanked the organizers of the World Series in Kazan.
“The organization in Kazan is just like always at the highest level. I’m proud that Kazan is one of the cities that boldly plays host to international tournaments in such challenging times. At present the organization of sporting events is difficult due to many restrictions, and most countries, unfortunately, could not provide all the anti-pandemic conditions. For the first time in a year Budapest hosted the international FINA tournament, now Kazan is doing it, which is something to be proud of. The organizing committee of the tournament had a titanic task, but I am sure that they will cope perfectly. The main task is to conduct safe and successful competitions.
For athletes and coaches, this is a training stage that must be completed. It is important not only for athletes, but also for judges who have been unable to work at international competitions for almost a year. Practice is as important to them as it is to athletes. We are deeply grateful to the event’s organizing committee and the Republic of Tatarstan for the fact that we have the opportunity to hold offline competitions in Kazan,” Olga Brusnikina said.
Minister of Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan, Vladimir Leonov, wished competitors beautiful performances and stressed that Kazan had longed to see artistic swimming events.
“Recently the Russian Swimming Championship has concluded in Kazan, and today we are hosting the World Series. We missed synchronized swimming. We hope to see beautiful, really beautiful artistic swimming and the success of our athletes in Kazan,” said Vladimir Leonov.
Press Office of Directorate for Sports and Social Projects