“Sasha this one”: the first man in synchronized swimming – BBC Russian

Rafael Saakov Bi-bi-si, Moscow

• April 3, 2015

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The decision to include Alexander Maltsev of the Russian national team at the World Cup in 2015 was made in January

Alexander Maltsev became the first man in the Russian national team in synchronized swimming. In July Maltsev perform at the world championships in the new discipline – competitions mixed duets – with Darina Her compositions.

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) has included competitions for male interpreters in the program of the World Cup in water sports at the congress organization November 29 last year.

Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko said the decision of FINA “stupid” because before the World Cup in Kazan at the time was a little over six months. “Usually, such decisions are made in advance, regardless of the Olympic program, and develop these kinds” – said Mutko agency R-Sport.

Many titled sinhronistki and all said they would never have been able to perform a duet with a man.

“to the male synchronized swimming am very negatively. It absolutely was not for me. Just as I have a negative attitude to the male rhythmic gymnastics “- said the four-time Olympic champion Anastasia Ermakova.

” I am categorically against women in our sport – said the two-time London 2012 champion Svetlana Romashin. – Women’s synchronized swimming is much more aesthetic, but do not rule out that with the advent of men in power terms, in support of the program will gain something “.

Head coach of Russia Tatiana Intercession long doubted whether the Russian team represented in the new discipline at the World Championships. As a result, the instructor sets Olympic champions decided to give a chance to 19-year-old Maltsev, because, says the Intercession, “Sasha, we have one”.

19-year-old partner Alexander Maltsev became Darin Valitova, which already was part of the Russian national team synchronized swimming

Maltsev: stereotypes about female sport presses

Alexander Maltsev told the BBC Russian Service, that appeared earlier Russian synchronized swimming competition “out of competition” and even received scores from the judges, but the World Cup has always seemed to him almost a pipe dream.

BBC BBC: When you started to engage in synchronized swimming, you had at least some hope that men will ever give the opportunity to perform at the world championships?

Alexander Maltsev Of course, all these years I went to this objective – to ensure that the men were allowed to speak officially. Previously, these prospects were not, but then there are new opportunities for further improvement. Over time, I realized that I do not want to throw synchronized swimming and want to go to the end. Then I began to believe that one day it will happen.

BBC BBC: Do not you feel uncomfortable due to the fact that synchronized swimming is perceived almost all as a female sport?

Alexander Maltsev: Of course, the discomfort was. The stereotype that synchronized swimming – only female sport is very pressing. But I have always helped those people who supported me and saw in synchronized swimming prospects. I was told that sooner or later it will happen. If someone joked, it is not among friends, mostly strangers. But such talk, I try not to pay attention.

The partner Maltsev duet Darin Valitova

” The challenge was to switch to that partner – man. Why not? Why women can to drag the bar, throwing wheels and men – can not dance in the water? I think it’s something unusual. None of the girls with whom I trained, does not tell me anything, only support. I quickly switched, and I think it will be very interesting to see the competition mixed duos in the world championship “.

BBC BBC: How do you react to the fact that even many athletes, including members of Russian national team in various sports, are skeptical about the appearance of your team?

Alexander Maltsev: Since this is unusual, a lot of people, I think, just can not imagine afford it. But when they see the competition, I think they will change the view. Opponents were always a lot, so it is best to see. Earlier I spoke at the Russian competition out of the competition because we have not had an official standings, but the audience is always a very warm welcome.

BBC BBC: In What is the main difficulty for the man-simultaneous interpreter in performances with a woman?

Alexander Maltsev: In a mixed duet man should personify strength, power. Woman – on the contrary, the beauty, grace. In doing so, they should complement each other. Figure skating, for example, was initially mixed. Synchronized swimming, by the way, was born as a male sport, but then the woman drove men and all accustomed to this. Men’s choreography differs from the female, it’s a completely different style. As ballet, male and female – are completely different. The hardest part – to a man and woman working together in sync. Maybe, in the name of “synchronous” must be some mistake, would suit “artistic voyage” to describe the entire sport.

According to Alexander Maltsev, the most difficult task – to achieve synchronism in the movements of men and women

World Cup – on women’s rules

BBC BBC: Why you generally opted for synchronized swimming?

Alexander Maltsev: This is a harmonious sport, there are many other disciplines and gymnastics, and choreography, and jumping into the water . For the development of any child is healthy. At first, my parents sent me to a section, and then I consciously started, though I offered to go in the water polo or diving. Last year I was in the “Theatre on the water.” There are also group numbers and duets and solos. Now this opportunity I have, because I’m in the team. We train all day, we have two workouts. For the World Cup is a very interesting ideas about costumes, it can be opened and closed suit.

BBC BBC: Now all the puzzle – will whether competition in a mixed synchronized swimming at the next World Cup. At what level of opposition you expect?

Alexander Maltsev: I think that a few duets will be a fairly high level. In teams of other countries also have athletes who walked a long way to it, and all focused on results. There are good duets from the US, France, Italy, Japan, Ukraine. Some post their video, someone we’ve seen in the competition, but not all the competitors know, of course. Very serious opponent – American Bill May, who was one of the first men in synchronized swimming and created a furore. Many judges know him and remember. As for judging – all very difficult, we do not fully know what will be assessed. We kind of understand that mixed duo should be different from the female, but no other valuation rules do not, so they will most likely evaluate the rules on women.

BBC BBC: Is it too hastily in this case it was decided to introduce a new discipline in the program of World Cup 2015?

Alexander Maltsev: Of course, it was very unexpected . Usually such decisions are taken for a long time, and then, for no reason at all abruptly decided. In any case, I am very happy. We are ready, are determined, but we do not yet forecasts in terms of results. World Cup will help popularize the male synchronized swimming in Russia. Already some [sports] schools begin to recruit boys section. When everything is 100% official wishing to engage in will be enough.

BBC BBC: Do you see the Olympic prospects of a new kind of synchronized swimming?

Alexander Maltsev: This is – the main goal for any athlete. To a greater extent prospects depend on how will debut at the World Cup, as will accept a new kind of public. The fact that the tournament will be held in Kazan, adds to our responsibilities.

Before entering the Russian national team Alexander Maltsev acted in productions of Moscow “Theatre on water”