Upon conclusion of the 16th FINA World Championships,
Igor Semashko, the high diver of the Russian national team, decided to stay in
Kazan for a while and attend some FINA Masters competitions. During his interview with a
sports reporter of the Kazan 2015 OC’s Press Office, the high diver revealed
what professional athletes actually think about competing with amateurs at the
same sporting event.
– Thumbs
up for the idea of Masters tournament where amateurs and professionals can
compete against each other on equal terms. It is a socially important event. I
mean it is very curious to see ordinary people, passionate enough about sports,
travel from one Championships to another, socialise, meet their acquaintances
and like-minded people. Being part of this Masters family, they have known each
other for decades.
– Did
any of your colleagues confess in some private talk that he would like to
compete in the Masters tournament in Kazan?
– I
know that the Italian husband of ten-time USSR diving champion, Inga Afonina,
might come to compete in Kazan. European Masters champion, Eduard Feoktistov,
is sure to come. The company is going to be interesting. After all,
professionals do not think it’s shameful to compete with amateur athletes. Such
competitions help professionals to stay in good form.
– The
baton exchange from the FINA World Championships to the Masters Championships
was quite symbolic. What are your memorable moments of the FINA World
Championships?
– The
atmosphere. Everything was super. These were the best Championships in the FINA
history. Many people think so, too. Speaking about my sports achievements,
everything is logical there. Gary Hunt deserved gold. He is the best and that’s
why he claimed the title. He is much better than all the others. Duque? He just
had a bad day. He had been the best in Barcelona, but here he just ran out of
luck. It happens in high diving.
R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnya
Press Office of Organising Committee for 16th FINA
World Championships
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