European swimming champion Evgenia Chikunova said that the Spartakiad is inferior to the Friendship Games in terms of entourage, noting the lack of emotions during the tournament.
Chikunova became the second in the 100m breaststroke at the All-Russian Spartakiad in summer sports among the strongest athletes, swimmers compete in St. Petersburg.
– The Friendship Games reminded me of the World Cup in Abu Dhabi, I was even shocked, I did not expect it. Everyone did a very good and interesting job. After such competitions, we arrive at the level about the same, but the difference is colossal. That’s why the expectations were higher, it seemed like it would be, if not the same, but something added for the surroundings. Now, in terms of atmosphere, it’s like the St. Petersburg championship, only with athletes from other cities,” Chikunova told .
– But if you do not hold in other places, there will be no experience of holding such competitions. It is necessary to show the stars of Russian swimming in other cities.
– I agree. But it seems to me that the swimming center in St. Petersburg would be better suited, where at the Salnikov Cup it turns out to be backlit, flashlights. But there are international competitions, and here is the All-Russian Spartakiad.
Was it hard physically and mentally to last until August?
– I thought it would be easier – a month will pass and I will be in the same shape. The reality turned out to be more cruel. There is a kind of fatigue, although I wouldn’t say it’s been a long season. It’s just that the last term is in August, and I’m going to school soon, in 11th grade, it’s so hard to realize that it’s a week before school.
Source : MatchTV
