It remains to wait less than two years.
The world of synchronized swimming in 2024 awaits a historic event – the debut of men in this sport at the Games. A maximum of two men per team may participate in the group competition. Previously, only women competed in the synchronized swimming Olympics, while men competed in mixed pairs at the World Championships, Europe and the World Series.
“” garnered a quick response to this news.
Alexander Maltsev, quadruple world champion in mixed duet:
– Of course, we would like to see mixed pairs on the program of the Olympic Games, so that would fully unveil the very idea of mixed performances and men in synchronized swimming. I see the IOC’s decision as a first step in this direction. It would be desirable, of course, for there to be mixed groups not with a maximum of two men, but for the composition to be mixed in half – four by four, for example. So yes, that’s the first step. But now the sport is in such a crisis when all the basic Olympic principles are violated. We must first think about it and hope to overcome this situation. In any case, the current decision of the IOC gives synchronized swimming men a chance for the Olympic dream, the young generation will be able to set such a goal and strive to achieve it.
Gana Maksimova, coach of Maltsev:
– I agree with Sasha that, first of all, I would like to see mixed pairs at the Olympics. In the current situation, while men can perform in groups in the program of the Games, it will also be necessary to work with one more young man. If Sasha joins the group, the preparation at Krugly will change, and in some competitions, he may have to be replaced. For my part, I will do my best to get Sasha into the group, and Tatyana Nikolaevna (Pokrovskaya) also seems to be considering this option. However, it is really an adapted formation. In this respect, it would be simpler to immediately introduce mixed pairs into the program of the Games. And yet, something is better than nothing – that means the introduction of mixed pairs into the Games program is fast approaching.
Varvara Subbotina, multiple world champion:
– In my opinion, it is still necessary to leave the group in a more traditional form, because one does not know how a man will behave in a group. One thing is a program with a partner, which you have to adapt to, and here there are six or seven girls. There are a lot of different factors and a lot of weird things in that decision. Physiologically, women and men are very different. My opinion is unchanged. I am in favor of the fact that the synchronized swimming group should be female.
Alexandra Patskevich, three-time Olympic champion:
– I can only congratulate Alexander Maltsev, who began to hope to become an Olympic champion. Another question is what decision Tatyana Nikolaevna (Pokrovskaya) will take. Now, according to the rules, there is no reserve and you cannot enter it in a single composition. Here the decision is up to the head coach, as far as possible for the Russian team. It is a milestone in the history of men’s synchronized swimming. To be honest, I didn’t think it would happen so quickly, discussions about mixed groups at the official level have appeared recently. Some decisions have been waiting for years, but here everything was decided in such a short time.
Tatyana Pokrovskaya, head coach of the Russian national team:
– The most important thing is that we are allowed in the Olympic Games. And we have Maltsev in the group, and his participation is possible.
Source : MatchTV
