Seven-time Olympic champion Svetlana Romashina opened the Synchronised Swimming Stage III of the Friendship Games. The opening ceremony of the tournament was held at one of the facilities of the Volga Region University of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism - the Burevestnik Sports Complex.
Together with Romashina, participants were greeted by Minister of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov, Rafis Burganov, Rector of the Volga Region State Institute of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, Natalia Mendygalieva, senior coach of the Russian national team in synchronised swimming, Salavat Gaisin, first deputy chairman of the Volga Region State Unified Sports Society "Dinamo" and Alexandra Babicheva, president of the Tatarstan Synchronised Swimming Federation.
"Dear participants, we are having a great celebration: as part of the Friendship Games we host the traditional Svetlana Romashina Cup, a person very dear to us. This is a true professional, an idol of many young people in our country, and far beyond its borders. We are delighted that our friends from all over the world came to participate in this competition. This is an international celebration! I want these two days to enjoy the beauty of synchronised swimming," said Vladimir Leonov at the opening ceremony.
"I'm insanely happy to see so many athletes from different countries in Kazan. It's great to see their coaches and parents. In these not so easy times for our sport it's very important to hold competitions for children. So that they can perform, feel the competition and be happy about our beautiful sport! I would like to express my gratitude to the Republic of Tatarstan for staging such a tournament in our favourite synchronised swimming. Fair play and good luck!" - Svetlana Romashina said.
Synchronised swimming competitions of the 3rd stage of the Friendship Games will be held at the Burevestnik Sports Complex on December 9-11. They will be attended by 182 athletes from Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
