“In fact, it’s a very interesting world championship in terms of results,” said Korotyshkin. – In addition, not all leaders are declared or have not performed on all their distances. They are Chad Le Clos, Adam Peaty and Caleb Dressel, who withdrew during the championship. Again, our athletes weren’t there. The coaches say we are ready. It’s understandable that it’s easy to swing your fists off the battlefield, but maybe it really adds to the sporting angst.
Somehow at many distances it turned out to be a more open fight, interesting to watch the results. European swimmers are seen breaking world records – Krystof Milak, Chekkon – and the level of rivalry is usually quite high. Thanks to the competition between FINA and the emerging ISL, the prize fund has increased, which has also added motivation to the athletes.
– FINA now offers a personalized NFT for world record holders.
“I think this is just one of FINA’s steps to show progress in the perception of swimming as a product.
– One of the main events that many expected, the David Popovich – Dressel duel in the 100m crawl did not take place.
“I’m sure we’ll see her again. This time, yes, it didn’t work. Of course, many were waiting for him at such a distance.
– In the comments they speculate on the topic of removing Dressel – someone seriously believes that he was scared.
– Speculation can be anything. There is an official statement from Team USA that he withdrew for medical reasons. I have no reason not to believe him. In addition, depriving yourself of the leader at the World Championships and jeopardizing the general result… I don’t believe in it.
– Then about Popovich. A unique athlete.
— I think he has enormous potential and is still quite young. Yes, this time he failed to update the world record for the 100 m crawl, in the final he swam slower, but the record, I think, is not far away.
– Is there a risk that now he starts to “swear” and that this affects the results?
– Here, we cannot predict in which direction he will turn, but he is really a swimmer who can become a benchmark for his generation.
– There is a feeling that swimming in performance at a high level, the age limits are stretching. Can you call that a trend? Here Summer McIntosh wins at 15, and Nicolas Santos with a medal at 42.
– I think so. There are several reasons. Today, in society, there is nothing like that at 25 you only have to think about your family and there is little time left for sport. There is no such attitude that athletes try to undo at some point. On the contrary, it becomes an example of how a person continues to test himself, to progress in the results at a later age.
“And recovery methods have improved.
– Without a doubt. Moreover, such an experienced swimmer as Santos already knows perfectly well how to recover better, how to distribute the load. He also works as a physical trainer.
– And if we were talking about 15-year-old winners in swimming? There are heated discussions on this subject in figure skating.
— I suppose there is always more discussion in sports where refereeing is marked. When there are a lot of subjective factors, it raises a lot of discussion questions.
We will all be judged by seconds. In addition, in the case of early victories, swimmers who begin to win on a hormonal background at a young age often stay in the sport for a long time. We have enough examples. The same Ruta Meilutite, who came back. She won the Olympics at a young age and continued to progress. We now see how she competes with those younger than her.
– The discussion on transgender people has erupted precisely in swimming. And it was swimming that decided to be the first to create a separate category. How do you feel about this?
– Any decision taken in this case will attract criticism and constitute an infringement of someone’s rights.
– How does creating a separate category violate the rights of other athletes?
– Firstly, it will be a rapidly growing category in terms of results in a male and female context. Second, FINA will have to introduce the same prize money for the new category at the World Championships as other athletes, and the level of competition in this category will be lower.
– No one has yet said that it will be the World Cup immediately. Maybe other starts – the World Cup or even lower.
– But then the question will arise – why not at the World Championships? It will be an endless story with discussions of discrimination.
Source : MatchTV
