Celebrating 25 years of s/c Europeans, a six-day event for more prize money
The 21st edition of the European
Short-Course Swimming Championships marks the 25th anniversary of the event,
started back in 1996. To highlight this special occasion, the meet in Kazan
will last for six days for the first time, in a more athlete-friendly format.
The prize-money has also been increased from 220,000 Euros to 300,000 to reward
the top 15 individual performers both among the men and women. World and
European record bonuses are also up for grabs.
Schedule, entry lists, start lists
& results click HERE http://kazan2021.microplustiming.com/indexKazan2021_web.php
Free live streaming of the event,
visit HERE https://aquatics.eurovisionsports.tv/home?id=J037sbwGmvZ09MGIIZxXtLeaN
LEN’s top season-ending showcase has
been extended to six days which opened the way to a more athlete-friendly
format by eliminating the same-day semis and finals in the 50m events. Two
events were added too – men’s 800m free and women’s 1500m free – so this week
more than 400 athletes representing 40 nations may seek 42 titles in the 25m
pool.
The prize-money pot has also been
increased: in the previous decade the top 12 performers were recognised and 220,000
Euros were distributed among them. In the upcoming edition the top 15
individual efforts (one per athlete, based on FINA points) will be rewarded,
the sum totals 300,000 Euros, the best male and female shall receive 25,000
Euros respectively.
Kazan, the host city is a well-known
site for many participants – it welcomed numerous major aquatic meets in recent
years with the 2015 FINA World Championships being the absolute highlight and
the LEN Family also enjoyed an outstanding junior Europeans in the magnificent
Aquatic Palace in 2019.
As Russian Swimming Federation’s
President, the legendary Vladimir Salnikov and Tatarstan’s Deputy Sports
Minister Halil Shayhutdinov underlined, Kazan is the capital of swimming in
Russia, and they were delighted to host another big championship (indeed the
first-ever senior LEN event in Russia). Sadly, because of the current lockdowns
in place, spectators are not allowed to attend the event but the live
broadcasts – including LEN free live streaming – will bring all the action to
the swimming lovers.
LEN Bureau Swimming Liaison Marco
Stacchiotti and LEN TSC Chairman Craig Hunter praised the efforts of the Kazan
hosts as they both considered the local facilities and the organising team
worldclass. Mr Stacchiotti also expects the new generation of swimmers making
some splash at this event.
LEN Operations Manager Marco Birri
said that besides the youngsters, three Olympic champions from Tokyo – Russia’s
Evgeny Rylov, Hungary’s Kristof Milak and Germany’s Florian Wellbrock – will
compete this week, plus several Olympic medal-winners thus the level of the
races should be really high. Due to the current situation, the broadcasters
will not be present in the usual numbers, still 42 right-holders will broadcast
the event. Mr Birri added that LEN’s partner EBU (European Broadcasting Union)
shall offer a special web platform featuring a Virtual Media Lounge where
athletes can be interviewed from remote.
In the second part of the press
conference, a couple of star athletes were invited to share their respective
expectations before the start. Russia’s double Olympic champion Evgeny Rylov
said he was very much looking forward to competing at home though it was going
to be challenging to gear up once again after the Olympics.
Tokyo bronze medallist and six-time
long-course European champion Simona Quadarella of Italy had similar thoughts.
“For the first time since I was thirteen, I had a long break after the Games, a
full month, so I just restarted my practices in September. I work really hard
as we have a lot of events, Europeans and Worlds first in short-course, then in
long-course. Because of this, I don’t have any great expectations here, just
wish to do my best.”
Two great youngsters, Russia’s Maria
Kameneva and Romania’s David Popovici are on track to have some memorable days
in Kazan. “I wasn’t satisfied with myself at the Olympics so I’m determined to
do my best in this short-course event” Kameneva said.
Romania’s new sensation David
Popovici, claiming three titles at the junior Europeans in July and missing the
Olympic podium by a fingernail in Tokyo, was in upbeat mood as usual. “The
Olympic year has been very challenging, I also had a longer break of three
weeks but I’m back and these Europeans offer me a chance to have some fun racing
against some of the bests in the world.” Replying to a question, Popovici said
that he was very much expecting to have showdowns in his pet sprinting events
with Russian rocket Kliment Kolesnikov. “Kliment is one of those swimmers whom
you immediately recognise what he wants to achieve in this sport and also that
he knows perfectly how to achieve that. It is an honour to compete against him,
also an honour to lose to him and even bigger honour to beat him in case.”
The short-course Europeans kick off
on Tuesday, heats start at 10.00 local time (8.00 CET), semis and finals begin
at 18.30 (16.30 CET).
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