Russia’s swimmers synchronised for Olympic gold
Published 12 May, 2008, 21:31
Russia's synchronised swimming championships get underway on Tuesday. Although titles are at stake, most swimmers are already thinking about the Olympics in Beijing in three months’ time.
Synchronised swimming has been a part of the Olympic Games since 1984. Until 2000 the sport was dominated by the U.S., Canada and Japan. But from 2000 Olympics in Sydney, the Russian national team became the major force winning every single Olympic gold since then.
Synchronised swimming is a sport only contested by women. Coaches say that girls from the age of five to ten get handpicked for their good looks, and most importantly for their character.
The national team's head coach, Tatyana Pokrovksaya, knows exactly what the Olympics are all about because she's trained a number of medalists.
“The coach first looks at the girl’s appearance. In time other important traits begin to come out, such as character. It’s essential at the Olympics because its format is completely different from all the other competitions. They don’t last as long, so swimmers must perform at their top level right from the start,” she said.
What's behind Russia's success? Coach Elena Grysunova thinks that the soul is an important factor.
“There is always a story line in our performance. We know exactly what we are telling the judges and the audience. That’s the edge of Russian synchronised swimming. I don’t think that anyone in the world has ballet like the Bolshoi Theatre, or has classical choreography in their souls like the Russians,” she added.
