“There will be no more Olympic Games in my career, let’s soberly assess the situation” – synchronized swimmer Kolesnichenko

Triple Olympic synchronized swimming champion Svetlana Kolesnichenko told that she had accepted the fact that she would no longer participate in the Olympic Games.

Russian synchronized swimmers will not be able to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Both Olympic events – group and duet – are recognized as team events, which means that even in neutral status, according to World Aquatics rules, Russian athletes will not be able to qualify for these Games.

— Do you think there will be other Olympic Games in your career?

— Maybe I go there as a spectator or as a coach (laughs). But as an athlete, no. Let’s soberly assess the situation: in 2028 I will be 35 years old and that is too old to compete in the Olympic Games. But I’m not saying that I will finish this year after the Friendship Games, by no means,” Kolesnichenko told .

Kolesnichenko is a three-time Olympic champion, 16-time world champion and 11-time European champion. She performs solo, duo and group exercises.