“Now everyone understands why I did it.” Kirpichnikova – on changing sports citizenship and Olympic money

“Ana, Ana,” shouted the 10,000-seat Defense Arena in honor of Nastya Kirpichnikova, who won silver at the Olympic Games for the French team. She changed her sports citizenship to have the opportunity to compete at the Paris Games. Before that, Nastya had been training in France for many years.

— If I had come after a month in France, no one would have given me nationality. I am still in shock, I changed my sporting citizenship so that it would be on the podium, I dreamed of third place, yet Simone (Quadarella) was every year after Katie (Ledecky), and now I am second.

— When you were swimming, did you hear how they were shouting at you, how they were supporting you?

— I didn’t hear it from afar. I’m going to reconsider the way they supported me, but when I left, they supported me like one of their own, and I’ve only been in the French team for a year.

— What do they think about your transition here?

— There are haters, like in Russia. But everyone was hoping for this medal and was talking to me about it. The last time Camille Muffat won a medal in women’s swimming was in 2012.

— How do they perceive this in Russia today?

— There are negative comments about the betrayal, but now everyone understands why I did it.

– When did you decide?

— When they said we wouldn’t go to the World Championships in Budapest.

— Katie Ledecky said she wanted to go to Los Angeles. What about you?

— I’m only 24, I want it too.

— Why don’t you play in open water?

– I didn’t qualify. There were strong waves in Funchal. I became third among the French. Now, when such conditions exist, when the water quality is not the best, I am even happy.

— Sharon van Rauwendaal said she would take antibiotics?

– Already drinking, I think she consulted a doctor. We don’t know what’s happening with the Seine, it’s the center of the city.

— Do you follow what is happening in Russian swimming?

— I watch all the competitions, I follow the long distances, a good girl appeared, Ksyusha Misharina, Anya Egorova, Zhenya Chikunova.

— Have you tried talking to Chikunova about neutral status?

– No, I don’t get into that. It’s a personal matter for everyone. She just congratulated me, she was happy for me.

— Do you still have contact with the coaches and management?

– No.

– Are you offended?

– I’m not going to talk about that, I have no idea.

— What does Léon Marchand represent for the French team?

“We didn’t communicate closely with him, he’s a very shy and well-behaved boy.

— In France, do you need anything to get a medal?

– Money. I don’t know the amount yet. But the main thing is that I have a medal.

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