Chikunova – about Spartak’s “diamond” with Efimova: “I thought we would show a heart”

Swimming world record holder Evgenia Chikunova in an interview with , she called the story with the Spartak “diamond” shown to her in the mixed zone a provocation, but noted that it relates to the competition with the three-time Olympic medalist Yulia Efimova kindly.

Chikunova won all three breaststroke distances at the Russian swimming championship in St. Petersburg. The episode with the diamond display occurred after the 100 meter breaststroke, where Chikunova won gold and Efimova took silver. After the end of the start in the mixed zone, Efimova, dressed in a Spartak jersey, asked Chikunova, who was wearing the Zenit uniform, to cross her fingers, as a result, the athletes received a “diamond” from the Spartak.

– There’s a hat-trick, but we have the feeling you wanted more.

– It’s true. Even though I gave everything, as I always say, 200%. A little wasn’t enough. Judging by the route, the last “fifty” at 200 m simply killed me. In any case, I assure you, I did my best. It’s not the end, just the beginning. I will sort out the errors. For now, I can say that it is still a good result.

—Have you faced such attention? The first time was so intense. “Spartak” – “Zenith”, the whole story.

– I think I did. Even despite Yulia’s provocation. Ugly, I think. I have good intentions! (Laughs) I thought we would show a heart – a peaceful message that we have good relationships, that everyone can be friends and at the same time rivals. And she says “you need to straighten your fingers.” Apparently, I live in some kind of rosy world.

— In pink or lilac?

– Yes! In lilac! (Chikunova’s favorite color, Efimova performs in a pink hat – note from ).

“Yulia did not train for competitions for two years and finished second at two hundred.” What does that mean? Is she confirming that she’s unique or talking about the level of competition?

“With her previous achievements, she has already proven that she is unique. I won three distances and I have a lead in the results. But I’m happy to have competition, it’s fun, it’s cool, it’s a new level,” Chikunova told .