Olympics deemed excessively prestigious by renowned Russian swimmer
In a revealing podcast conversation between two-time Olympic medalist Klim Kolesnikov and Olympic tennis champion Elena Vesnina, both athletes expressed doubts about the significance of the Olympics.
Kolesnikov, who has been a standout in the swimming world, initially believed that the Olympics were the pinnacle of his sport. However, he has since changed his mind. In the podcast, he stated, "The Olympics have been overrated for a long time."
The Russian swimmer, who has four medals (two gold, one silver, and one bronze) in his collection from the World Championships, pointed out that the competition at the Olympics is less intense due to a continental quota system. In contrast, the World Championships in water sports offer more disciplines, including men's solo and duet events, providing a more challenging and diverse competition.
At the World Championships, women in synchronized swimming face a higher level of competition compared to the Olympics. Alexander Maltsev, a seven-time World Champion in synchronized swimming, echoed this sentiment, stating that the European and World Championships in football are valued higher than the Olympics. Maltsev, who was named the best synchronized swimmer at the recent World Championships in Singapore by World Aquatics, has four medals (three gold and one silver) in his collection from the World Championships.
This is not the first time the Olympics have been devalued, as Maltsev also expressed a similar opinion in a podcast with Vesnina. The podcast serves as a potential source of insights about the athletes' views on the Olympics.
Despite their criticisms, neither Kolesnikov nor Maltsev dismiss the importance of the Olympics entirely. In Kolesnikov's words, not winning an Olympic gold medal does not make an athlete incomplete. Maltsev, with his numerous World Championship victories, seems to agree, as he has yet to win an Olympic medal.
In conclusion, while both Kolesnikov and Maltsev have achieved great success in their respective sports, they question the importance of the Olympics compared to other international competitions. Their views provide an interesting perspective on the value and significance of the Olympics in the world of sports.
