- Title: GAMES-EUROPE/SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING Russia dominates in the pool at European Games
- Date: 16th June 2015
- Summary: GOLD MEDAL WINNER, RUSSIA'S ANISIYA NEBORAKO, SPEAKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) GOLD MEDAL WINNER FOR SOLO IN SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING, RUSSIA, ANISIYA NEBORAKO, SAYING: "I feel proud of my country, because Russia has for so many years stayed in first place in synchronised swimming. I would like for this level...for Russia to always be at the top." CLOSE OF GOLD MEDAL A
- Embargoed: 1st July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Azerbaijan
- Country: Azerbaijan
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA5AA9TADWFJ7GG0R6YCMSIDGYU
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Russia dominated the pool of the European Games on Tuesday (June 16) with Anisiya Neborako winning a Gold in the solo free routine competition of the synchronized swimming.
The 18-year-old Russian swimmer clinched winning position and won Russia its 10th Gold medal so far in the competition with 170,9924 points achieved for two programs.
"I feel proud of my country, because Russia has for so many years stayed in first place in synchronised swimming. I would like for this level...for Russia to always be at the top," said Neborako minutes after receiving her medal.
Asked about the atmosphere in the athlete's village where the Ukrainian team is also staying and rumours have circulated of tension between the two, the young swimmer said athletes were concentrating on the competition.
"To be honest we communicate with other teams very little, we come to competitions more to win and to chat to the girls."
Spain's Berta Ferreras Sanz won Silver and Austria's Anna-Maria Alexandri won bronze.
The Austrian swimming team experienced a significant blow to morality early on in the games after three of their team mates were hit by a shuttle bus in the athlete's village five days ago. An incident that was witnessed by the whole team.
Alexandri considered pulling out of the competition following the incident on Thursday (June 13) but chose to continue in the competition on behalf of their team mates.
The 17-year-old Austrian swimmer, who also won a silver medal on Monday (June 15) in the women's synchronized swimming duet with her twin Erini-Marina Alexandri, said she had concerns over her performance before hitting the water.
"I was also worrying a little bit because of concentration and all the things," said Alexandri, when asked if recent events had affected her performance.
"One number (programme) before I started was like… yes, I took all the power and said 'Ok, I will do it, and I did it," she added.
Austrian swimmer Vanessa Sahinovic, remains in an induced come in Vienna with a damaged spine and multiple hip and leg fractures.
Luna Pajer suffered a broken arm during the sickening crash and was flown home while a third team mate, Verena Breit, received treatment to a bruised hip but remained in the Azeri capital to compete.
Spain's Ferreras Sanz said she was delighted with her experience at the inaugural European Games.
"It was very different, and really it was genius and extraordinary."
Spain's Berta Ferreras Sanz came second with 162, 9758 points, and Anna-Maria Alexandri of Austria won the bronze with 162, 4333 points. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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