The "kick" from the coach before the relay final really cheered me up"

One of the main discoveries of the World Cup held in Singapore was 20-year-old Daria Klepikova. Yes, she has already won two gold medals in the Budapest 2024 short water team race. But now she has mastered the country's records and a number of other unique achievements. Klepikova became the first Russian woman to reach the finals of the World Championships in the 100 m freestyle, and also helped our team win gold in the 4x100 m combined medley, despite the fact that we have not won in relay events since 2003. It's hard to imagine silver in the mixed freestyle relay without her. After returning from Singapore, Daria gave a long interview to Sport-Express and Izvestia.

"Before the World Cup, I was worried about the atmosphere in the call room"

— At the beginning of the swimming competitions at the World Championships, our team was not doing well. Then they started saying that the world had "drifted away" from us. You also said that the pause in international competitions is having an effect. As a result, we have historic gold medals in relay races, which have not been seen since 2003, and you have Russian records. Has the world "sailed away"?

— The first three days were really hard. There were no medals. Although the results were decent, there was always something missing. It was difficult with the men's 4x100m relay crawl. Therefore, the world, of course, "sailed away." Even though we've been training, we've been preparing. But it's still hard to come back after a break. I think we did a decent job.

— If there hadn't been this three-year hiatus, would things have been better in Singapore?

— I think so. It was psychologically exciting. Come, meet all your competitors and swim with the strongest. It's hard to prepare yourself for this, even mentally. Therefore, it was not easy to face this. This is a good experience for us and a good training for the future.

— What were you most afraid of before the start of the championship?

— I was probably worried about the atmosphere in the call room. When you enter there, everyone adjusts to the start in their own way. It's all felt. You can feel the silence and energy in the call room. It was exciting, but I was prepared for it. I was sitting with music, tuning in.

— We scored a four for our performance at the World Cup. Why not five?

— I have completed all the tasks that I set. But there is a task with an asterisk — this is a personal medal. That's why I set four.

— How close are you to this personal medal? What was missing?

— In two personal distances, I was missing tenths of a second, which is quite small. It's hard to say what was missing. When I swam, I realized that I had given my best and given everything I was ready for. But when you review and see all the mistakes, you realize that you were better prepared. There are mistakes. It's cool. So, there is room to grow.

— Unlike you, we don't see these mistakes. At what points can I add?

— I see how much I lose from the start — 15th. In the second half, after the turn-out, I immediately lose speed. Therefore, we have to catch up already. I have a really strong second half of the race, so it's scary to start fast. There is also a certain psychological barrier in this. All these mistakes need to be corrected.

— Do you feel like a hero and the opening of the World Cup in Singapore, as many people call you?

— I see that many people call it that — the MVP of the World Cup, the opening. It's very nice, but I don't know if I can consider myself that way. All athletes are very motivated. It's never enough for us, we want even better. Such statements probably motivate me to swim even faster.

"I stood with a stony face at the golden award ceremony"

— You won medals in Singapore in relay races. Where is it easier for you to swim and tune in: in team sports or in personal ones?

— Now, having experience, I can say that I am able to adjust to both my personal distance and the relay race. I switch quickly. I don't even know where it's easier. Just in different ways. The relay race is a responsibility for the guys, for the team, and the personal distance is only for yourself.

"We need to keep up with the times — I hope the Ministry of Sports will hear us"

Seven—time world champion in synchronized swimming Alexander Maltsev - on the results of the World Aquatics Championships

— After the semifinals of the 4x100m combined medley relay, you said that you were "kicked." Who is this person who "kicked"?

— Yes, it really happened. She didn't show the best result in the morning relay race. We made it to the finals very dangerously. That's why the head coach said, "Dasha, you don't have to do that. After all, this is the World Cup. Here, every hundredth is important." In the evening, I went out with an empty head, without a smile, gave my best, swam really well. Even at the award ceremony, she stood with a stony face. Because the head coach shook me up, cheered me up.

— What words did the personal trainer say?

— Oleg Nikolaevich Tsvetkovsky was just next to me. That's enough for me. It's especially important that I feel when he believes in me, then I don't doubt myself.

— They said that the "kick" cheered up. How much does the "whip" help in training and competitions?

— Actually, my coach is quite gentle. He treats me like a girl. Everything is kind and positive. Therefore, such a "kick" from the head coach was unexpected for me and cheered me up decently. I think it played a good role.

— Now Oleg Nikolaevich will listen and apply this practice.

— I don't know. I hope not.

— When you won the gold medal in the middle of the swimming tournament, was it hard to tune in to the rest of the program?

— I understood that I needed to give my best at every distance every eight days. It was only the fourth day. That's why we won, were happy, and continued. It was possible to be fully happy only after the completion of all competitions. We need to work it out first. I didn't feel the victory at the next race in any way. I forgot about her for a while.

— The coach selected your medals. Why was it necessary if everything is so easily forgotten?

— I can really switch. But the coach selects the medals so that they don't get in the way.

— You had one of the most difficult schedules in the national team. Were there any thoughts of giving up on something?

— Even at the selection, I realized that I would have to compete at a large number of distances. These are all relay races and two personal disciplines. Getting to the finals was always on the agenda. I knew that I would have to compete in the relay races in the morning. There were supposed to be 14 heats in total. I was ready to go out 14 times and give the maximum. But in the end, the head coach felt sorry for me and didn't put me in the relay twice in the morning.

— Was it difficult at the end, or could you have completed these two distances after completing all 14 heats?

— I can still, of course. It was psychologically difficult to get ready for the start every time, to come to the pool. Emotionally, it's all very draining. I was physically ready to work more and more. The doctor, the massage therapists, and the conversations with the coach helped me. It was more mentally difficult.

— How much does psychology decide in swimming?

— Both by myself and watching athletes, I can say that this plays an important role, which is sometimes underestimated.

— It wasn't your first international tournament, but it was your debut global one. How did you deal with stress between swims?

— Interviews with journalists in Singapore helped me a lot. Because right after the swims, I could share my emotions and let go of the distance a little. Also recovery: mandatory sleep, eat. But probably the main thing was that I talked myself out, thereby releasing all the stress.

— When was the peak of stress during these eight days?

— Mixed combined relay race on the fourth day. Because I understood that we have every chance not only to compete for prizes, but also to win. There were a lot of thoughts. It was a very emotional day. It was released after him.

"There is nothing scarier than an exam at a music school"

— It was once said that playing musical instruments helps to combat stress. Before this recording, we already found out that you didn't bring a ukulele with you.

- no. There is no time and energy for this.

— Do you usually play at home?

- yes. I have an electronic piano at home. I play in the evenings to lose myself in music, take a break from problems and relieve fatigue. Unfortunately, there is no piano anywhere at the training camp. I don't carry anything with me. I only play at home. I really want a piano to be installed at the gathering venues. I would be glad of that.

— What do you usually play?

— Some quiet music, classics.

— Didn't you finish your studies at the music school?

— Unfortunately, no. I had to end my career as a musician because I chose swimming.

"Don't you regret it?" After all, now this passion is still manifested and fingers are reaching for the piano, electric guitar, ukulele.

— No, I don't regret it. In principle, I am glad that I went to music school and got acquainted with everything related to music. I had a wonderful teacher who helped me open up and feel confident through music. It's a great experience, for which I'm grateful.

I'm still studying it now. I also want to learn how to play other instruments. If I have time, I will definitely devote myself to it. I want to play the piano more. I've always had a passion for the electric guitar. I gave the coach drums for his birthday so that one day we could play with him.

Student comparisons: Russia competed at the Universiade for the first time in six years

The competition in Germany brought our athletes 16 medals and seventh place in the team competition.

— Don't you write songs?

— I used to compose small melodies on the piano, but I didn't get very far.

"And the poems?"

— I used to write a lot of things as a child and think: "Maybe I should become a poet?"

— What was your musical and swimming childhood like? How did you have enough time for everything?

— I am very pleased to remember those moments. I've done everything in time. My grandmother helped me a lot, she took me to everything. I remember that I was quite persistent and always did everything. I didn't even get tired of it, I just enjoyed it. I feel differently about everything now.

— Did your fingers shake in piano lessons after training?

— On the contrary. When I feel stressed, I really want to play or just listen to music.

— In one video on social media, you wrote: "There is nothing scarier than an exam at a music school." Isn't it scarier in the finals at the adult World Cup?

— To be honest, I still think that there is nothing scarier than an exam at a music school. I was younger then, after all, and very private. It was difficult to play in public. Playing the piano means sharing all your emotions, feelings, and opening up to the audience. It's hard for me. That's why it was more exciting back then. Now I feel more confident when I swim at the World Championships. Because I have experience, and I've done a lot of work on myself. Take it easy psychologically.

— Exams at the music school are held in a rather intimate setting, where only teachers sit. Have you ever performed to a large audience?

— I only played in exams, where there were teachers, other students, and parents. But then I felt like I was playing in front of a huge auditorium, even though there weren't many people present. Now I can play for my friends and mom.

There was a funny story at the exam. I play well functionally, but I can't convey it with my feelings. There was a problem with that. On one exam, I turned off my head and just forgot the moment. It was more correct to continue playing, to remove this moment so that the viewer would continue to listen to the story. But I started over and made mistakes again. And anew, anew, anew… It was so stressful! The teacher has already told me: "Dasha, start with the second sentence." I was just stuck then.

— Do you go to classical concerts now?

— I really like concerts. It helps me a lot. Even this feature appeared before the competition: I try to go to concerts to unload. The training process is still tedious and difficult. Therefore, there must be some unloading. Plus, concerts give you an emotional boost. It's not always possible to walk because of the fees. Now, during my vacation, I would like to visit.

— What plays more often in headphones before starts?

— When I'm on the bus, I try to listen to my favorite tracks. They should be fun. I even dance during the warm-up. Those who were next to me noticed it. When I go swimming, I don't hesitate to sing either. I'm already playing something more rhythmic there.

— So music can squeeze an introvert out of you?

— Actually, it is. Indeed, when I listen to music, I become more confident and energetic. It helps.

— Can you name the top 3 artists or compositions that help you tune in?

— I basically listen to different music. One of my favorite artists is Billy Eilish. I've been listening to it since 2019. I'll also mention Drake and Tame Impala.

— Is it something classic?

— My mother loves listening to Rachmaninoff very much. That's why we often listen to him at home.

"I try to raise the issue of swimming conditions in Voronezh"

— You continue to live and train in Voronezh. Have you ever thought about moving to Moscow with your coach? Again, it's easier to get to international starts.

Sports weekend with Izvestia

The World Championships in aquatics and fencing, the finish of the Summer Universiade and other events

— Recently, my coach and I have been constantly at training camps, as there are no necessary conditions in Voronezh to train. There is no place in the pool, and there is no time. That's why I'm rarely at home.

— After the World Short Course Championships, you said that there was not enough space and you hoped that something would change. Has something moved?

— I try to raise this issue every time. I'm not just talking about myself, I have nowhere to swim and train. I see how many guys who are growing up and want to swim. I see that they have chances and opportunities. That's why I want to help Voronezh swimming.

— How difficult or easy is it for big swimmers like you to grow up in Voronezh?

— I hope my experience will motivate the guys — everyone has a chance and opportunities. I can say for myself that I have a good duet with the coach. It helped me a lot to reach this level.

— Did you find your coach right away?

— Yes, this is my first coach. Initially, my older brother went swimming to Oleg Nikolaevich Tsvetkovsky. He didn't want to take me because I was too small for his group. But since my brother swims there, I took it.

— How has your life changed in Voronezh after the World Short Course Championships, where you won two gold medals?

— I had meetings with the governor and the Minister of Sports. We raised very important topics about sports and swimming. A lot of people congratulated me from Voronezh, just like now. It's very nice. That's why I want to come home as soon as possible and share all my feelings and emotions.

— Did you feel like a star after Budapest 2024?

- no. Everything was calm.

— Is there a "swimming boom" in Russia now? Even the national championships attract a lot of viewers, as Kliment Kolesnikov said. It's like there's more attention after our return than there was before we were suspended.

— Yes, it feels like swimming is on everyone's radar right now. Everyone is working on it. It's very nice. I also want to help swimming. Even my friends, who don't know much about swimming and haven't followed it before, are now starting to get interested too.

— What is the plan now, when will the meetings and interviews take place? Where are you planning to rest?

— I want to go home first, meet my family, share my emotions, let go of this whole World Cup, and take some time off from swimming. I think I'll be home. This is the best recovery for me. And in September I will start preparing for the new season.

— Has the World Cup given you motivation?

— Yes, I did. I probably don't feel it now, because it's been these eight days of daily work... while I'm feeling pleasantly tired. I think I'll get motivated during training.