Kolesnikov – about the competition: “Four guys from St. Petersburg swim almost according to the results that we showed at the Olympic Games”

Double Olympic medalist swimmer Kliment Kolesnikov in an interview with , he spoke about motivation and competition during national competitions.

In April, All-Russian Swimming Federation (RSF) President Vladimir Salnikov told that Russian swimmers would not participate in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

— Athletes in other sports periodically express regret over international isolation and say it’s difficult to find the motivation to train. How’s that going with that?

– I do not have any problems. But there is one thing that is not lost on any athlete who has ever competed internationally. You start to miss the atmosphere, the surroundings – there are foreign athletes around, different cities, swimming pools, the change of scenery. At the same time, personally, my competitive spirit has not disappeared.

— So you have a sufficient level of competition in the country to keep you at the top?

— Yes, we now have young people who have caught up, the competition is at a fairly high level. Four guys from St. Petersburg swim almost with the same results that we showed at the Olympics. Everyone is trying, everyone is pursuing their own goals, just like me,” Kolesnikov told .

Kolesnikov is the world record holder in the 50 meter backstroke and a six-time short course world champion.

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