Three-time Olympic synchronized swimming champion Maria Kiseleva in a chat with , she said she felt sorry for synchronized swimmers performing in pairs, as they would have a huge burden due to the introduction of an acrobatic program at the 2024 Olympics.
On November 15, the press service of the International Swimming Federation announced the inclusion of an acrobatic program in the group synchronized swimming competitions at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In addition, the groups will compete in technical and free routines.
“Of course, this is a huge burden for everyone. Both for the athletes and for the technical staff. Now, to win a medal in a group exercise, it is mandatory to do three types of programs: technical group, free and acrobatic, which is called “highlight”.
But there is an important addition. According to the rules, the “highlight” is performed by ten participants, and at the Olympics there are only eight. This can add additional complexity and even injury.
The girls in the duos are in the most difficult position. So far, according to the new rules of the Olympic Games, there are eight people in the team without the right to substitute, which is catastrophically difficult and wrong. Duo representatives must perform both as a group and as a duo. As a duo, they set off three times to win their medal. Now they will have to start over three more times as a group. Do you represent? It turns out six outputs at the start and five types of programs!
I’m so sorry for the duo girls who will be performing at the Olympics. They will have to train practically 24 hours a day. I find it hard to imagine how it can be covered.
I understand that we can only accept this situation. I want to wish strength to the athletes and coaching staff so that they have the opportunity to cover it all. Because the Russian representatives of synchronized swimming do not know how to work badly. This is always top notch work. I can’t even imagine how many hours our athletes will train,” Kiseleva told .
Source : MatchTV
