“What danger can Russian synchronized swimmers pose when participating in international competitions?” Interview with Brusnikina

Russian synchronized swimmers do not yet compete at the international level, but life does not end there. On Sunday, the correspondent visited the opening of the Synchronized Swimming Federation stand at VDNH and spoke with the president of the federation, Olga Brusnikina.

From this interview with Brusnikina, you will learn:

“Several countries have already called us and shown interest in the Friendship Games. »

— What are the main Russian synchronized swimming competitions in 2024?

— Of course, for us, the two main starts that we are waiting for this year will be the BRICS Games and the Friendship Games. There is hope that this is where our team can show all its class.

— Do colleagues from other countries contact you? Are you looking for information on the Friendship Games? Are they interested in coming to Russia in September?

— Yes, there have been requests from a number of foreign teams interested in certain conditions for participation in these competitions. The main invitation period will begin a little later, in February. But we are already working with some teams. We explain that these departures will be very comfortable and interesting for the participants.

— Which countries are these?

— There have been calls from Asian countries, from Latin America. Some European countries also require it.

— Is the motivation also that the prize fund for the Friendship Games will be at Olympic level?

— Of course, in addition, the organizing committee undertakes to compensate all expenses of all participants for their stay in Russia. In other words, the competition will not only be interesting, but also financially attractive. And we are interested in the competitiveness factor. Of course, the Russian team needs exhaustion and the achievement of its goals.

“The rules will not be changed before the Olympics”

— Will synchronized swimming change radically, taking into account the new rules that Tatiana Pokrovskaya spoke about in an interview with ?

“Indeed, these months are witnessing a colossal transformation in synchronized swimming. Our sport is evolving a lot. Nowadays, the emphasis is on the technical training of athletes and the complexity of compositions. There are now more details and numbers in refereeing that influence the outcome.

There are losses in terms of artistic perception of synchronized swimming and the beauty of the performance. And the international federation clearly sees this in light of the results of the past year, when new rules have just been introduced.

— Is it really possible to change them?

— I think so, some changes will be made. But only after the Olympic Games. The Artistic Swimming Committee of the International Federation has already announced that until the Olympic Games, everything will remain as it is. Well, after Paris 2024, they will make some changes. As I understand it, they will be linked to the defense of beauty and artistry in our sport.

I communicate with foreign colleagues, with judges and coaches, and I know that this topic is being discussed among them. They want to create a certain balance within our judgment, which will contain the equality of all factors. And artistry, complexity and synchronicity.

Well, what can we do in this case? Just wait for some changes. Everyone understands that there are distortions today.

“We are no longer allowed to attend meetings”

— Are there cases in the Russian Federation when our synchronized swimmers receive offers to change sports citizenship?

“During this entire period of illegal and unjust suspension, we have not received any request – official, at least from the federation – regarding permission to transfer certain athletes. Perhaps negotiations took place with someone personally. But I don’t know them.

— What other internal competitions will there be in synchronized swimming?

— As part of our suspension, we are of course looking for new approaches to organizing competitions. In addition to the big all-Russian calendar that we traditionally organize – the Russian Championship, the Russian Cup, the Russian Championship – this year we have already started organizing Grand Prix stages for the first time. These are commercial competitions in which national teams of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation can participate. And the Grand Prix final will be the Russian Cup in November in Kaliningrad.

The first stage of the Grand Prix has already taken place in Khanty-Mansiysk. And throughout the year, regional teams will have the opportunity not only to compete and show their sportsmanship, but also to earn extra money.

– I will clarify. But you’re not allowed to attend these meetings where rules are discussed?

— Yes, they take place without the participation of Russia.

– Paradox.

– This surprises me too. Before our suspension, we were actively working with our colleagues. I was a member of the artistic swimming committee of the international federation. There, this decision is explained by a sort of security. Although I cannot imagine what danger myself or the Russian athletes or coaches who came to the competition could pose. But that’s exactly what they explain. Unfortunately, I must note that our close and close cooperation has been abruptly interrupted. Including according to the rules and this transformation that we are currently experiencing.

But in personal correspondence, people always respond to me and give answers to questions. Therefore, the contacts are saved.