KAZAN, December 10, Adela Ziatdinova. Three-time Olympic champion in synchronized swimming Svetlana Kolesnichenko said that she was not upset by the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding Russian athletes.
The IOC on Friday announced the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to the Olympics in an individual neutral status subject to a number of criteria. Representatives of team sports, including synchronized swimming, will not be able to take part in the Olympics.
““Unfortunately, we don’t even have options to perform in duets and a group at the World Championships. The Olympic Games in our sport are presented only in the form of a duet and a group, so that’s it,” Kolesnichenko said.
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"Honestly, I am such a person, the most positive person in myself. I think, in any case, everything is for the better. I wasn’t upset or desperate. So it was necessary. Many can say that I already have everything, all the regalia — I agree with this, but I remained in sports and hoped to swim a little more and take part in the Olympic Games. Unfortunately, that’s how fate turned out. “I can’t do anything, but we don’t give up and keep working,” she added.