Mutual love of FINA and Kazan
The fourth stage of the FINA Diving World Series started on 22 April in the Aquatics Palace, which will finish on 24 April. At a press conference with the participation of the head of FINA on 21 April, we knew once again how our city is attractive to host competitions of the highest level. And we were also informed by experts what international FINA competitions Kazan are expected this and next year.
Julio was stopped on time…
The FINA President Julio Maglione in his 80s likes to talk very much – he has been talking since his designation in 2009. The FINA Congress voted for the cancellation of age limits for President and executives of the organization for a reason. Due to the changes in the regulation, the current President of the federation Julio Maglione can participate in the elections for the third time in 2017. Only the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov managed to stop him at the press conference, who delicately noticed that Mr. President should take a pause…
It goes without saying, Maglione was profuse in compliments in front of the administration of our republic and city saying how he was glad to come to Kazan, which he called a sports capital of Russia, once again. It seems that he was up to speed. The President of FINA is very knowledgeable about our realias, how intense the sports life of the city is, and knows that we will host a UNESCO Congress in 2017. So, Maglione is convinced that the stage of the FINA Diving World Series will be at the highest level and will generate much interest. According to the President of FINA, 6,8bn people watched FINA World Championships last year! And the very Kazan Aquatics Palace could host even the Olympic Games. At present we can think about the FINA World Swimming Cup only.
'Kazan have big chances to host a stage of the FINA Swimming World Cup. I talked much about this topic to the administration of the Russian Swimming Federation, and it is interested in it. Kazan has an incredible arena, I mean not only swimming pools or training venues. All buildings are designed to make athletes, fans and journalist feel comfortable. 75 athletes from 12 countries came to this stage of the FINA Diving World Series,' Maglione told.
The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov confirmed the interests of FINA in the organization of aquatics competitions in Kazan in the short run, including a stage of the FINA Swimming World Cup, which is quite possible, that became traditional for this city. Only Diving School of the Aquatics Palace has 200 pupils, and there are first pupils of this school in the national team of Russia. For instance, having become a champion of Russia in 200 and 400 metres freestyle, Aleksander Krasnykh from Bugulma got his ticket to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Kazan wants a World Cup
According to Leonov, Kazan plans to host from two to four FINA competitions every year on the basis of an agreement with this federation in order to let 'the elite of the world swimming demonstrate its mastery' because the infrastructure in Kazan allows it. This summer Kazan will host the FINA World Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships. Earlier Kazan was a host city of the Russian Swimming Championships and the FINA World Championships.
'We wanted to host the Swimming World Cup in Kazan this year, but Moscow has an agreement. We will have negotiations with FINA concerning next year to make it traditional like it was with the Diving World Series. We would like to develop these kinds of sport in Tatarstan. We hope to host the FINA World Junior Water Polo Championships next year,' the Minister stated.
Ranko Tepavcevic, deputy director general of Directorate for Sports and Social Projects ANO and secretary general, specified that Kazan has very good relationships with FINA and national organisations. It is enough to say that 30 national teams expressed their desire to participate in the FINA World Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships. 'Kazan is trusted,' Tepavcevic resumed. A diver of the national team of Russia Viktor Minibaev talked to the journalists.
'We thank the organizers for the excellent swimming pool and palace, the local infrastructure is at a high level. Kazan became the sports capital of Russia for a reason. Thanks, FINA, too, they organize competitions of such a high level, it is a great choice. We, athletes, will try to do everything to make the contests breath-taking, intriguing and likeable by fans. It is a pity than nice Yulia Timoshinina who came to the press conference with her partner in the national team modestly said nothing… It means she will demonstrate everything in the competitions.
The list has been announced
Nine Russians – five men and four women – were included in the start list of our national team to participate at this stage of the FINA Diving World Series. Olympic champion Ilya Zakharov and Olympic medalist Evgeny Kuznetsov will lead the team. Tatarstan will be represented by Nikita Shleikher, who was born in Penza but moved to the republic. He will take part in individual and mixed matches.
Squad of the national team of Russia:
Men.
Springboard 3 m. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Ilya Zakharov.
Synchronised springboard 3 m. Evgeny Kuznetsov / Ilya Zakharov.
Platform 10 m. Viktor Minibaev, Nikita Shleikher.
Synchronised platform 10 m. Viktor Minibaev / Roman Izmailov.
Women.
Springboard 3 m. Nadezhda Bazhina, Kristina Ilyinykh.
Synchronised springboard 3 m. Nadezhda Bazhina / Kristina Ilyinykh.
Synchronised platform 10 m. Ekaterina Petukhova / Yulia Timoshinina.
Mixed
Synchronised 3 m. Kristina Ilyinykh / Nikita Shleikher.
Synchronised 10 m. Yulia Timoshinina / Nikita Shleikher.