Three-time Olympic champion Kolesnichenko admitted that she did not think for a second about changing her citizenship

Svetlana Kolesnichenko / Photo: © Dmitry Chelyapin / Match TV

Three-time Olympic champion in synchronized swimming Svetlana Kolesnichenko answered questions about continuing her career and changing citizenship.

Russian synchronized swimmers will not be able to perform at the Olympic Games in Paris. Both Olympic events – group and duet – are recognized as team events, which means that even in a neutral status, according to the World Aquatics rules, they will not be able to qualify for the 2024 Games.

“When we talked to you in the spring, you were almost the only one who believed in a miracle. But now our synchronized swimming is officially without the Olympics.

– A miracle did not happen. I’m just the kind of person who doesn’t get discouraged. And besides, I have everything – both Olympic gold and world championship gold. Of course, I would like to go to the third Olympic Games, but I can say that I am not upset. I accepted this and am preparing for the Friendship Games.

— What makes you stay in sports?

— Everyone asked me: “Is Sveta not going to leave?” She clearly answered: “I will definitely compete in 2024,” but we’ll see. I haven’t had enough of a swim yet. I come to work and enjoy it. I want to compete under the new rules, I want to compete at the BRICS Games and the Friendship Games, and then maybe there will be a World Championship for us in Singapore.

Our preparation has not changed, the work is as intense as it would be if we were preparing for the Olympic Games.

— You didn’t want to change your citizenship?

— This question has never been raised at all. I didn’t think about it for a second.

— What needs to happen for you to stay after 2024?

– Let’s see. Ideally, we would be allowed to participate in the World Cup in Singapore without restrictions under the flag and anthem,” the Match TV website quotes Kolesnichenko as saying.

Kolesnichenko turned 30 on September 20. She won gold in a duet at the 2016 Games, and won two golds at the 2020 Olympics. She is also a 16-time world champion.