Happy first Sync Up of 2022! May this new season and Olympic cycle bring us health, less meet cancellations and a smoother year overall.
The Coaching Carousel Continues
- Yoshida Miho has been named Singapore’s new head coach. She replaces Anastasia Goutseva who’s back in Greece. Yoshida had been serving as South Korea’s head coach for the last few years. She most notably led them to a sixth-place finish in duet and team at the 2018 Asian Games. In the past, she was an assistant coach for the Canadian and Japanese national teams.
- Australia is looking for a new head coach. Thanks to a boost in funding, the country is also establishing a new national training centre in Perth.
New Duets Ahead
- The U.S. has announced the squads for its women’s and mixed duets ahead of the 2022 season. Anita Alvarez, Megumi Field, Dani Ramirez and Natalia Vega will all train for the women’s duet. Claudia Coletti, Ivy Davis and Kenny Gaudet will focus on the mixed duet. Davis and Gaudet recently won gold in the event at the Junior Pan American Games.
In the Canadian Press
- The Globe and Mail published an extensive article, “The suspect science used to push aspiring Olympians to starve themselves,” on the alleged psychological abuse former Canadian artistic swimmers went through during their time on the national team. Erin Willson, Gabriella Brisson, and Chloé Isaac shared harrowing details on their nutrition and weight requirements while at the elite level, which ultimately drove them to dangerous eating disorders. [Trigger warning: eating disorders, self-harm]
Interviews to Watch
- The Olympics’ organization has posted two lengthy video interviews with Olympic champions Svetlana Romashina and Svetlana Kolesnichenko as part of their Tokyo Superheroes series. They both discuss their personal journeys in the sport, their Tokyo accomplishments, and what are some of their plans for the future. English subtitles are available.
Got Skills?
- After an historical season for Belarus, it appears Vasilina Khandoshka is hungry for more. Check out her barracuda split in the second slide! And this seemingly endless spin hybrid.
- Spain‘s three-time Olympian Ona Carbonell is clearly enjoying a brief moment of improvisation to let her creativity run free.
ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA MARMET
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