The International Swimming Federation (FINA) proposes to introduce a men’s solo in the program of the World Championships and to add the possibility of putting men in group programs. The second proposal concerns, among other things, the Olympic Games. We talked about it with the most successful synchronized swimmer in the world Alexander Maltsev.
— The idea of a male solo had been brewing for a long time. It all started with the fact that he was included in the World Series program. I discussed with Lisa Schott the possibility of including this discipline in the program of the World Championships, and she supported me in this process.
Only two years have passed since that moment, and already now they offer to introduce the men’s solo into the program of the world championships of all age groups. Which is good, because children will have the opportunity to perform not only in duos, but solo and in groups. We have to motivate the kids to study, and with a place for a man in the national team, that’s hard to do.
— How many high-level soloists will we be able to see at the next world championship?
– I think there will be no less than mixed duets. Another concern. The World Series and the World Championship have become politicized, there is a certain discredit of the whole sports movement, which can affect the development of our sport as a whole.
During the last World Cup, there were so many programs on political themes, so many costumes using this or that theme, which is in principle prohibited by the rules of the competition. But all this was allowed, they turned a blind eye to this, although one should be careful with such violations. Sport must stay out of politics, it must unite and not divide.
Returning to the participation of men in more programs, I can say that I suggested another step – allowing two or three pairs from the same country in order to increase the number of strong participants. Only one goes to credit, but other duos would have the opportunity to perform and compete globally. Russia, Italy, China, Japan have several good duos, and this would increase the spectacle of the competition.
You can also do it in male solo, because with more participants we will strive for a higher level of performance.
Do you like the idea of mixed groups?
— We have already seen such a program at the World Series. It was more interesting for me to watch a mixed team, even though the team was a club team and competed with teams from other countries. Of course, I would like it to be a separate discipline, so that the mixed teams do not compete with the women’s teams. Now it is technically difficult to do this – it is impossible to expand the number of disciplines indefinitely. But also immediately do only mixed groups – so far not every country has an athlete who can be put in a group. So the decision to be able to show in groups of no more than two men is kind of a compromise.
Are you ready to join the group?
– Honestly, I like solo and mixed duo more. As a child, I performed in a band, I had experience. I can’t say that I’ve always dreamed of it, but if the technical staff decides to do it, if it’s necessary, I’m ready.
– It’s a chance to participate in the Olympics.
We will see how this situation evolves. I don’t want to guess. Now we can’t play anywhere. I want common sense to prevail and that we continue to perform internationally.
– In general, how do you evaluate the changes in the rules, the refereeing?
– I liked that all the changes are aimed at objectifying the sport. To prescribe clearer evaluation criteria. A colossal job has been done on the classification of lifts, which had not been done before – 150 pages with pictures of almost all the most brilliant lifts that were in synchronized swimming. Moreover, the brigades of judges, the methodology of evaluation evolve.
I wish it was as good in practice as what is written in the docs. The judges are going to have to retrain, and I think it’s going to be difficult at first to accept all that.
But there is also a negative – normalization is underway. You need a number of links in free programs, which did not exist before. On the one hand, this promotes objectivity, on the other hand, it limits the possibilities of creativity. We have always strived to make our programs as artistic as possible, not just technical. Now, we will have to adapt – to remain the most artistic, choreographic, so that, due to the new rules, the programs do not turn into gymnastics on the water.
Source : MatchTV
