Athlete Kulikova spoke about the specifics of ice swimming competitions

Elena Kulikova, multiple champion of Russia, winner of the European Championship, Master of Sports of the Russian Federation of international class (MCMC) in swimming, said that ice swimming is more difficult than overcoming distances in the pool, therefore it is worth preparing for it seriously. She told about it on February 9 during a press conference of the national ice swimming team.

"It's pretty hard. I tried the 200 m distance. This is very different from a regular pool. That is, it turns out that you swim, you swim half of it, and then it starts to be there abruptly — you suffocate, it's hard. Of course, we need to conduct serious training for such competitions," Kulikova said.

The athlete added that in the process of ice swimming, she constantly recorded different weather conditions. The participants of the swim, according to her, faced the rain, then the sun. The difficulties are especially noticeable, as reported by the MSMC for swimming, in the middle of the way — swimmers may feel "wadding" in their legs and shortness of breath. To overcome this, she recommended resorting to breathing exercises.

Kulikova clarified that she took part in international competitions after a 25-year hiatus. Returning to the competition allowed her to feel positive and exciting emotions again, the athlete shared.

"My last performances were in 2000. That is, as a professional athlete. And I started winter swimming only a year ago: I accidentally tried it here (in Moscow. — Ed.), on the Rowing Channel at the Friendship Cup," she explained.

The athlete added that for a long time she did not even know about the existence of this type of swimming. Despite this, during the year, as Kulikova emphasized, she managed to set records again in three backstroke distances — 50 m, 100 m and 200 m.

Special support: how Russian synchronized swimmers continue to conquer the World Cup

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On December 24, 2025, the International Aquatics Federation (World Aquatics) recognized Russian Alexander Maltsev as the best synchronized swimmer of the year. It was noted that the 30-year-old swimmer was able to win three gold medals and one silver at the World Championships in Singapore. The seven-time world champion and six-time European champion won the individual technical and free programs, won the mixed duet technical program with Maya Gurbanberdieva and took second place in the mixed duet free program with Olesya Platonova.

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